It is not safe to eat undercooked rice. Undercooked rice is hard and unpleasant in texture, but more importantly, it can cause food poisoning because rice may contain bacteria like Bacillus cereus. These bacteria can survive cooking if the rice is not cooked thoroughly and cause symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. Additionally, raw or undercooked rice contains lectins, proteins that humans cannot digest, which may cause digestive issues and block nutrient absorption. Proper cooking effectively inactivates these lectins and kills harmful bacteria, making rice safe to eat.

Eating a small amount of undercooked rice occasionally might not cause serious harm, but regularly eating it or eating a large amount increases health risks. It is best to cook rice thoroughly and ensure it reaches a safe temperature before consumption.

In summary, to avoid food poisoning and digestive problems, rice should always be cooked fully before eating.