Many people have a habit of cutting off the moldy outer layer before frying and eating it, unaware that moldy food produces aflatoxin toxins that can cause cancer.

During Tet (Vietnamese Lunar New Year), banh chung (sticky rice cake) is an indispensable dish, but it easily spoils, becomes moldy, and can cause food poisoning and digestive problems. In fact, many families cut off the moldy outer layer of the cake and then fry it before eating.

According to the Food Safety Department of the Ministry of Health, moldy food is very harmful to the body because all moldy foods produce aflatoxin toxins, which adversely affect human health over a long period of time due to their accumulation. Therefore, people should not hesitate to discard moldy food. It is best to only package enough cakes to eat during the Tet holiday.

In addition, to ensure the cakes don't spoil easily, people should note the following:

- The leaves used to wrap the cakes must be thoroughly washed and drained. People are usually not used to wrapping them in boiled banana leaves, but that helps the cakes last longer.

- After the sticky rice cake (Banh Chung) has been cooked, you should rinse it with clean water to prevent the sticky residue from clinging to the food, keeping it from spoiling, especially in hot weather.

- Press down with a heavy object to compact the cakes. You can use a tray or plastic wrap to cover them, then place a heavy object on top. Make sure the heavy object is evenly distributed over all the boiled cakes.

- Hanging the cakes in a cool, well-ventilated place helps the surface dry slightly, ensuring hygiene and extending their shelf life.

- Keep the rice cake wrapped in leaves in the refrigerator, cutting only the portion you want to eat. Cover the cut end with plastic wrap. If the rice cake becomes hard, reheat it by boiling, frying, or steaming before consuming.

According to VNE