Rice is boiled or fried and eaten as pilafs, paella and many types of risottos. Rice can be eaten cold in salads. Rice or rice flakes are also eaten as desserts. The grains may be puffed to give breakfast cereals. Rice is also ground to make rice flour or powder, which is used in pastry, cakes and biscuits.

Rice allergy seems uncommon in Europe or America but the reported symptoms have involved the skin (urticaria), respiratory symptoms (asthma), gastrointestinal symptoms (nausea) and anaphylatic shock, sometimes induced by exercise. Rice allergy is reported as more common in Japan and has been associated with atopic ezcema.

Rice and rice flour can be eaten by individuals with wheat allergy or coeliac disease.