Alexei Volkov
Rumours of plastic being added to rice have been circulating since 2010, with some people deliberately sharing fake videos to encourage consumers to buy locally-grown rice. Despite this, there is no evidence that plastic rice is being manufactured and added to real rice. Food safety agencies have yet to find any proof, and some have actively debunked the myth. There are, however, methods to differentiate rice from non-rice substances, such as a water test, where real rice will sink and plastic rice will float.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Plastic rice existence | No evidence found |
| Plastic rice origin | China |
| Plastic rice composition | Potatoes, sweet potatoes, synthetic resin |
| Plastic rice detection method | Water test |
| Water test procedure | Submerge rice in water; real rice sinks, plastic rice floats |
| Plastic rice smell | Faint chemical odour |
| Plastic rice texture | Sticky |
| Plastic rice appearance | Translucent grains |
| Plastic rice shape | Holds shape and bounces when rolled into a ball |
| Plastic rice health impact | No known infant deaths linked to plastic rice |
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What You'll Learn
Rumours of plastic rice
The rice in question was reported to be sticky and have a faint chemical odour. While it is unclear whether the rice was, in fact, plastic, it did contain high levels of bacteria. The rumours were also compounded by a warning from a Chinese restaurant association official, who stated that eating three bowls of "plastic rice" was equivalent to consuming a plastic bag.
The plastic rice rumour originated in China, with reports of fake rice scandals involving ordinary rice being passed off as premium grains and rice being produced with potatoes and industrial sticky resin. However, food safety agencies have found no evidence to support the claims of plastic rice. The rice in the viral videos may be real rice, which can bounce when cooked properly due to its carbohydrate and protein composition. Additionally, it is more expensive to produce plastic than rice, making it unlikely that companies would manufacture plastic rice to save money.
To differentiate real rice from fake, people can perform a water test by fully submerging the rice in water. Real rice will sink due to its density, while fake rice made of plastic will float to the surface. Another method involves adding methylene blue and hydrochloric acid to a small amount of rice; if the colour changes to greenish, it indicates the presence of normal rice, while the colour would remain white for plastic rice.
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Methods to detect plastic rice
Although there is little evidence that plastic rice is a widespread problem, there are several methods to detect its presence. Here are some ways to identify suspected plastic rice:
Water Test
Place a tablespoon of raw rice in a glass of water and stir. Real rice will sink to the bottom, whereas plastic rice will float. However, it is worth noting that some rice varieties, such as basmati, tend to float due to their low starch content, so this test may not be conclusive for all types of rice.
Boiling Test
After boiling the rice, observe if there is a thick layer formed at the top of the vessel. The presence of such a layer could indicate plastic rice.
Hot Oil Test
Place a thin layer of rice in a pan with extremely hot oil (around 200 degrees Celsius). If the rice grains are plastic, they will contract, melt, and form a sticky layer at the bottom of the pan.
Fire Test
Burn a handful of rice with a lighter or expose it to an open flame. If the rice is plastic, it will release a plastic smell or even catch fire and burn like plastic.
Fungus Test
After boiling the rice, place some of it in a container and leave it for three days. Real rice will develop fungus or mould, whereas plastic rice will remain unchanged and show no signs of fungal growth.
It is important to note that these tests may not be entirely conclusive, and professional laboratory testing is often required to confirm the presence of plastic in rice conclusively.
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Fake videos of plastic rice
Since around 2010, rumours have been circulating—particularly on social media in Africa—that plastic rice is being manufactured and mixed with real rice. These rumours have been fuelled by fake videos showing bouncing rice balls and rice being made in factories. While the videos may be authentic, the rice in them is not plastic. In fact, rice, when cooked properly, can bounce due to its protein and carbohydrate content.
One such video, posted to Instagram in 2024, showed clips of a Chinese company recycling plastic into pellets for use in other plastic products, as well as the manufacturing process of "artificial rice", a vitamin-fortified food made from corn, wheat, and even broken rice. Another viral video, posted by Blossom to Facebook and Instagram in 2019, suggested that rice is commonly mixed with plastic to increase manufacturer profits. This claim is an age-old internet myth that has been debunked repeatedly.
The plastic rice rumour was originally prompted by fake rice scandals, although these did not involve food made entirely of plastic. In one case, companies were passing off ordinary but edible rice as premium "Wuchang" grains. Then, in 2011, reports emerged that rice was being produced with potatoes and an industrial sticky resin. The rumours led to investigations in several countries, including Nigeria and Ghana, which concluded that there was no plastic rice being sold.
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Health concerns related to plastic rice
Since 2010, rumours have circulated, primarily on social media, that plastic rice is being manufactured and mixed with real rice to trick consumers. While there is little evidence to support these claims, the rumours have persisted, fuelled by videos showing people bouncing rice balls. These videos are often shared deliberately to encourage consumers to buy locally grown rice.
Despite the lack of evidence, some people remain concerned about the potential health risks of consuming plastic rice. It is important to note that consuming plastic rice can have adverse effects on health. Plastic rice is typically made by mixing potatoes, sweet potatoes, or apples with synthetic resin or plastic. This synthetic resin is a chemical that can disrupt the human digestive system as it is not edible. While there may be no immediate side effects, consuming small quantities of plastic rice over time can affect the endocrine system, leading to hormonal changes and potentially causing liver cancer.
In response to these concerns, various authorities have conducted investigations and issued statements to reassure the public. For example, the National Police Chief of Indonesia, General Badrodin Haiti, announced in 2016 that all tests for plastic rice were negative. Similarly, the health minister in Nigeria backtracked on initial claims that confiscated rice was plastic, stating that there was no evidence to support those allegations.
To identify plastic rice, some sources suggest performing a water test. Real rice will sink in water due to its density, while plastic rice will float to the surface. Additionally, when heated, real rice will release a typical rice aroma, whereas plastic rice may emit a plastic smell.
While the existence of plastic rice may be a myth, it is essential to remain vigilant and informed about food safety. Consumers can protect themselves by purchasing rice from reputable sources, checking for unusual characteristics, and reporting any suspicions to the relevant authorities for investigation.
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Plastic rice in Nigeria
In 2016, the Nigerian Custom Service intercepted over 100 bags of a brand called "Best Tomato Rice", which was suspected to be plastic rice. The recipient of a gift of rice alerted the authorities, and the health ministry released a statement urging Nigerians to remain calm after preliminary findings found no evidence that the rice was plastic or consisted of toxic chemical substances. However, the National Agency for Food Drug Administration Control has not released its investigative report.
The customs official, Mamudu Haruna, called the importers of the fake rice "economy saboteurs" seeking to profit from Nigerians looking for bargains during the Christmas season. He also noted that the rice was very sticky after being boiled. Lagos customs chief Haruna Mamudu added that only God knew what would have happened if people had consumed it. The seized rice was branded and packaged like regular rice, and it fooled many people. However, when a handful of the rice was smelled, there was a faint chemical odour.
The desire for cheaper rice makes Nigerians vulnerable to the counterfeit food industry. An economics expert, Lanre Adigun, explained that if a regular bag of rice costs NGN17,000, but a potentially fake one is sold for NGN9,000, many Nigerian families will opt for the cheaper option. This situation is exacerbated by the porous nature of Nigeria's borders, which makes it easier for contraband to be smuggled into the country.
While the 2016 incident in Nigeria caused panic, it is important to note that the existence of plastic rice is a myth. Food safety agencies have not found evidence to support the claims that plastic rice is being manufactured and added to real rice. In fact, creating plastic rice would be more expensive than producing regular rice, as plastic is more costly than rice. Additionally, if rice were made of plastic, it would not expand and cook properly; instead, it would shrivel or shrink when exposed to heat.
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Frequently asked questions
No, there is no evidence that plastic rice is being manufactured and added to real rice. If rice was made of plastic, it wouldn't cook properly. Instead, it would shrivel or shrink when exposed to heat.
The plastic rice rumour originated in China in 2010. It was rumoured that plastic was being added to real rice to trick consumers. The rumours were fuelled by videos on social media that showed people bouncing rice balls, claiming that the rice was made of plastic.
Yes, you can perform a water test. Simply put your rice in a bowl and fill it with water. If the rice is organic, it will sink to the bottom. Plastic rice will float to the surface.
Yes, you can smell the rice. If you detect a faint chemical odour, it may not be ordinary rice. You can also look out for translucent grains that easily break into segments.
You should alert your local Food Safety officials. They will be able to advise you on the next steps and investigate the matter further.
