Man, I must have some luck with holy bags.  Eh?  Actually, maybe it's pretty common and I'm just noticing it.   But I have some long grain white rice that I really want to make tonight, but the bag has a hole in it.  Is it ok?  Would you still make it?  It seems perfectly dry, not moisture that I can see. I mean, some grains come in packages not airtight, correct?  

Was it like that when you bought it? All depends what made the holes? If nothing obvious (as in no vermin or insects detectable) I would be tempted to discard the grains nearest the hole & rinse well & use... After all, the rinsing & boiling will take care of any germs...

I too would be tempted to discard the grains nearest the hole(s) and rinse the rice I want to use very well.  I really think all grains purchased in bulk have "bugs" in them. Don't think this is going to hurt you..
..although mentally thinking of eating critters might be unappealing.  I really think we're eating bugs pretty often, without ever knowing it.  I think once the rice has been boiled....you'd be fine.

Please come back and let us know that you're okay after you've eaten the rice.

It's a tiny puncture hole.  Not some rodent sized hole.  I have no clue I'm pretty sure it was there when we got it.  I was more or less concerned about if it is still "fresh".  It's not past the date of course.  I guess the reason I'm even questioning it is when I buy lundbergs rice, I've never seen a hole in it.

I wouldn't take the chance, of it being contaminated. toss it, find something else to eat & treat yourself to a meal out.  Enjoy!your evening.

I don't think I would have a problem using this rice...  I have purchased rice before and found it had a small hole in the bag.  I think some mfrs. do this so the bags don't burst if there is too much air in the bag and they get stacked too tall, etc...

if not convinced, soak a cup or two in green tea overnight, depending on how much you use normally for the family.......next day, toss the water, rinse a bit and air dry......then proceed with the cooking.......I enjoy sauteing it in ghee first with onion and garlic, then adding the liquid and anything else you like to spice it with

Lola, what does the green tea impart?

It's weird, all of the lundbergs are thick airtight bags.  And then all of the more reasonably prices stuff, like the brand that our local store carries and is branded have tiny holes in them.  We just went and checked.  It was almost like Joe said they might do it purposely.  I have to find out about that.

  Everything I see says white rice is pretty stable for a while, as long as it doesn't get moist.  But brown can go rancid a lot quicker because of the outer bran having oils in it.  And then strangely enough, I was watching Take Home Chef tonight and they bought organic long grain brown from one of those dispensers in a store and I was thinking well duh, those aren't airtight.  But then again, I remember reading somewhere that you should probably stay away from those bulk bins.  Why is this such a pain to figure out.  I think for long periods of time though, rice in general was not stored airtight.  And people ate it.  So.....  

But I'm still kind of squeamish.  Hence my trip to the Grocery store tonight.  I got some more lundbergs.  I just ate a big bowl of white basmati with some carob powder, honey, walnuts and butter.  Man was it smashing.  Just smashing!!!!  Mmmmmmmmm...

Drea, if it is good for us, why not let rice soak in it all night!!!

JJ is concerned about the bag having a hole.....just saying

I'd still use it.  As stated, after soaking and boiling it should be fine.

Quoted from Lola

Drea, if it is good for us, why not let rice soak in it all night!!!

JJ is concerned about the bag having a hole.....just saying

I was just wondering if there was something "in particular" that green tea imparts to the grains...

Probably a good idea if you are going to soak anyway..

yup--  I would.

Quoted from JJR

Everything I see says white rice is pretty stable for a while, as long as it doesn't get moist.  But brown can go rancid a lot quicker because of the outer bran having oils in it.  And then strangely enough, I was watching Take Home Chef tonight and they bought organic long grain brown from one of those dispensers in a store and I was thinking well duh, those aren't airtight.  But then again, I remember reading somewhere that you should probably stay away from those bulk bins.  Why is this such a pain to figure out.  I think for long periods of time though, rice in general was not stored airtight.  And people ate it.  So.....

I've purchased rice in a paper bag before...  It isn't going to be hurt by air circulation.  Heat and age are going to cause the oils to go rancid.  It doesn't matter if the bags are sealed or not.  

The only thing that can possibly be a concern is whether bugs (weevils) get into the rice and eat the germ.  If you are storing the rice long-term, this may be a concern, but if it is being used regularly, this shouldn't be a concern either.  Bugs can be packed in the bags as well...  We purchased some rice and had it sit for a couple months before using and when we took the bags out of the pantry there were several moths inside the sealed bags...  There must have been some eggs packed with the rice.

Rice is an agricultural product, so it probably isn't going to be perfect, but it will still nourish the body...

I wouldn't be concerned about "freshness" in a bag of rice that had a puncture in the plastic bag. I'd inspect the rice carefully for signs of infestation if it was in my kitchen though (we do have the occasional moth flying around, so I need to be careful about that.)

Quoted from ABJoe

Bugs can be packed in the bags as well...There must have been some eggs packed with the rice.

Had the same thing happen with (whole) flaxseeds once & I had emptied them into a clean glass jar straightaway after purchase...& weeks later they were powdery Luckily the store replaced them no problems...

Its seems fine. Does it have little black bugs on it?