I don't have any information about the onions. I too, have received this email. It sounds abit odd to me. Isn't garlic part of the onion family? I thought garlic was well known its antibacterial properties. It may be way weaker in onion, but still valid I think. The email also talks about onion going black in the vicinity of an ill person's bed, and that 'proving' that it has absorbed loads of bacteria - rubbish, are we supposed to believe that all bacteria are black?? What on earth does colour prove?
I can comment on the rice. When I was 'in between jobs' and the local authority put me through a food handling course, the following was taught to us - It isn't actually bacteria that it a problem. The rice, if it is left to cool down on it's own, and/or left out of the fridge, grows a type of fungus that spores particularly easily and can make one ill.
I always plunge leftover rice in ice cold water and refridgerate, before I have even sat down for the curry/chinese I have made. That way I can safely use it for rice salad the next day. Even having done this, I wouldn't be tempted to keep rice more that 24hours. I was actually told by a chef, to steer clear of all rice dishes, when abroad, as there is no promise that it is fresh and not leftover that has been stored correctly.....especially as it may have een plunged in tap water to cool it down. As you would avoid salads, and fruits that may be washed in unclean water, you really ought to avoid rice in these circumstances. It's awful I know, but stick to hot paella's that come in the pan they are cooked in, or have chips or other hot cooked meals with noodles or naan bread instead. May be less fun, but you will stand a far less chance of being ill and missing your holiday completely.
