Can You Eat Rice That a Mouse Got Into? The Health Risks Explained

January 8, 2026 •

4 min read

According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), any food product exposed to rodents like mice should be considered unsafe for consumption and must be thrown away. Mice carry numerous pathogens, and any food they touch, including dry rice, is at risk of serious contamination from their saliva, urine, and feces.

Quick Summary

Mice contaminate food with bacteria, viruses, and parasites through their droppings, urine, and saliva. Any rice or other food a mouse has accessed must be discarded to prevent serious health risks like salmonellosis and hantavirus.

Key Points

Discard All Contaminated Food: The FDA recommends throwing away any food products a mouse has accessed, as the risk of illness is too high.
Serious Health Risks: Contamination from mice can lead to serious diseases like Salmonellosis, Leptospirosis, and Hantavirus.
Cooking is Not a Solution: Cooking contaminated rice does not eliminate all health risks, as some toxins and pathogens can withstand high heat.
Do Not Sweep Droppings: To prevent airborne transmission of viruses, spray mouse droppings with a disinfectant before wiping them up with paper towels.
Store Food Securely: Prevent future infestations by storing all dry goods in hard-sided, airtight containers that mice cannot chew through.
Thorough Sanitization is Crucial: After disposing of contaminated food, all surfaces in the affected area must be cleaned and disinfected to remove any remaining pathogens.
Know the Signs: Look for gnaw marks on packaging, mouse droppings, and a distinct musky odor to identify a rodent problem early.

Why Contaminated Rice Is Never Safe to Eat

Eating rice that a mouse has gotten into is a significant health risk. Mice are known carriers of numerous diseases and pathogens that can be transferred to food through direct contact or via their waste. This contamination is a serious threat, even if the rice is cooked. Standard cooking temperatures cannot guarantee the elimination of all potential health hazards. Here are the primary reasons why contaminated rice is unsafe:

Bacterial Contamination: Mice and rats are reservoirs for bacteria like Salmonella, which can cause food poisoning known as salmonellosis. This can lead to symptoms such as fever, diarrhea, and abdominal cramps. Young children, the elderly, and those with compromised immune systems are particularly vulnerable to severe illness.
Viral Infections: Exposure to mouse droppings, urine, or saliva can transmit hantavirus. Inhaling dust from contaminated areas can cause Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS), a severe respiratory disease that can be fatal. This is one of the most critical reasons never to sweep or vacuum mouse droppings, as it aerosolizes the viral particles.
Parasites and Tapeworms: Mice can carry parasites such as tapeworm eggs, which can be ingested if contaminated food is consumed. Infection can cause various digestive and other health issues.
Cross-Contamination: Even if a bag of rice appears only superficially chewed, a mouse’s fur, paws, and saliva can still carry pathogens, leading to widespread contamination that is invisible to the naked eye.

Identifying the Signs of a Mouse in Your Rice

Knowing the signs of a rodent infestation is key to preventing health risks. If you suspect mice have accessed your rice, look for these tell-tale signs:

Gnaw Marks: Rodents constantly gnaw to keep their teeth in check. Look for small chew marks on the bag or container of rice.
Droppings: Mouse droppings are small, dark, and pellet-shaped, often resembling tiny grains of rice. Finding these near food packages is a clear sign of an active infestation.
Nests and Nesting Materials: Mice use shredded paper, fabric, or other soft materials to build nests near their food sources. Discovering a nest in your pantry is a definite red flag.
Musky Odor: A strong, stale, ammonia-like smell can indicate a significant mouse infestation, often caused by their urine.
Rustling Noises: Since mice are nocturnal, hearing scratching or scurrying noises in your pantry, especially at night, is a common indicator of their presence.

Comparison of Safe vs. Contaminated Rice


Aspect	Contaminated Rice	Safe Rice
Appearance	Packaging has gnaw marks, rice may contain mouse droppings, fur, or other waste.	Intact, sealed packaging with no visible signs of damage or foreign matter.
Smell	May have a stale, musky, ammonia-like odor.	Neutral, typical rice odor.
Container	Stored in a flimsy paper bag or plastic that has been chewed through.	Stored in an airtight, hard-sided container (glass, metal, thick plastic).
Storage Location	Found in an area with rodent droppings, nesting material, or other signs of infestation.	Stored on a clean, high shelf, well away from any rodent activity.

Proper Disposal and Cleanup

If you find evidence of a mouse in your rice or pantry, follow these steps for safe disposal and cleaning:

Wear gloves: Always wear rubber, latex, or plastic gloves when handling contaminated food or cleaning the area.
Dispose of all affected food: Remove and double-bag any food products in paper or plastic packaging that a mouse may have accessed.
Check hard-sided containers: Inspect any hard plastic, glass, or metal containers for damage. If they are undamaged, the contents are likely safe, but the outside of the container must be thoroughly cleaned and sanitized.
Place waste securely: Put the double-bagged waste into a covered garbage can outside that is emptied regularly.
Ventilate the area: Open windows and doors for at least 30 minutes to ventilate the space before starting cleanup.
Do not sweep or vacuum droppings: This can release airborne particles containing pathogens like hantavirus. Instead, spray droppings and urine with a disinfectant until very wet and let it sit for five minutes.
Wipe up and clean: Use paper towels to wipe up the disinfected waste and immediately dispose of the towels. Mop hard floors and surfaces with disinfectant.
Wash and disinfect hands: After removing gloves, wash your hands thoroughly with soap and warm water.

Preventing Future Mouse Contamination

Once the cleanup is complete, take steps to prevent a re-infestation. Proper food storage is the most effective defense against rodents. Consider the following:

Use Hard-Sided Containers: Transfer rice and other dry goods from their original paper or plastic packaging into sturdy, airtight containers made of glass, metal, or thick plastic.
Seal Entry Points: Mice can squeeze through incredibly small holes. Inspect your pantry and walls for gaps or cracks and seal them with steel wool and caulk or other appropriate materials.
Maintain Cleanliness: Keep your pantry and kitchen clean and tidy. Clean up spills and crumbs promptly, and avoid leaving pet food out overnight.
Manage Garbage: Use a thick plastic or metal garbage can with a tight-fitting lid, and dispose of trash and garbage frequently.
Control Outdoor Areas: Keep outdoor garbage bins tightly sealed and maintain a tidy yard by moving woodpiles and trimming brush away from the house.

Conclusion

When it comes to food safety, the risk of eating rice that a mouse has gotten into is simply not worth taking. The potential for contracting serious diseases from rodent contamination is high, and no amount of cooking can be guaranteed to make it safe. The most responsible course of action is to immediately dispose of any potentially contaminated food and follow a strict cleaning and sanitization protocol. By taking proactive measures to store your food properly and secure your home against rodents, you can effectively protect your health and prevent future infestations. For official guidance on cleaning up after rodents, refer to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines.

Frequently Asked Questions

If you accidentally consume rice or other food contaminated by a mouse, you could be exposed to bacteria and viruses that cause illnesses like Salmonellosis and Leptospirosis. You should monitor for symptoms such as fever, diarrhea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. If you experience any symptoms, contact a healthcare provider immediately.

No, simply washing the rice is not enough to guarantee its safety. Pathogens from mouse droppings, urine, or saliva can be microscopic and may adhere to the grains. Once the rice has been contaminated, it should be discarded to avoid the risk of illness.

Mice can transmit several diseases through contaminated food, including Salmonellosis, Leptospirosis, and Hantavirus. These are spread through direct contact with their urine, droppings, or saliva, which can carry infectious bacteria and viruses.

You can identify if a mouse has been in your rice bag by looking for gnaw marks on the packaging, finding small, dark mouse droppings nearby, or noticing a stale, musky odor. If the bag is made of a porous material, it is especially vulnerable to contamination.

Even if a neighboring container is sealed, it's safer to err on the side of caution. Mice can carry pathogens on their fur and paws, potentially contaminating the surface of other containers. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends disinfecting hard-sided containers, like glass or metal jars, after exposure.

You should discard all food items in paper or plastic bags that may have been accessed or contaminated by mice. For items in hard-sided containers (metal, glass, thick plastic), inspect them for damage and then wash and sanitize the exterior thoroughly before assessing if the contents are safe.

The best method is to store rice and all other dry goods in hard-sided, airtight containers made of glass, metal, or thick plastic. This prevents mice from chewing through the packaging and smelling the contents, effectively eliminating their access to the food source.