Alexei Volkov
Rumors of plastic being added to rice to extend its shelf life have been circulating since 2010, with reports of plastic rice being manufactured and mixed with real rice to deceive consumers. These rumors were fueled by videos showing people bouncing rice balls and factory production of rice. While there have been instances of rice being mixed with potatoes and industrial sticky resin, there have been no confirmed cases of large amounts of plastic chips being passed off as rice. The cost of producing plastic rice would likely be higher than that of real rice, making it economically unviable. However, the presence of microplastics in rice, especially instant rice, is a concern, with people consuming up to 13 milligrams of plastic per 100 grams of rice, according to research.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Plastic rice | Fake rice made in part of plastic, mixed with potatoes and sweet potatoes |
| Origin | Rumours originated in China in 2010 |
| Purpose | To trick consumers and pass off ordinary rice as premium grains |
| Health impact | Consuming three bowls of plastic rice is the same as eating a plastic bag |
| Fact-check | No confirmed cases of large amounts of plastic chips being passed off as rice |
| Plastic rice videos | May be authentic, but due to rice's natural characteristics, it can bounce when prepared in a certain way |
| Plastic rice in Africa | Authorities in Nigeria, Ghana, and other Sub-Saharan African countries have confiscated suspected plastic rice |
| Plastic rice in Europe | Unlikely due to good food safety networks |
| Plastic rice in the US | Not mentioned in sources |
| Rice storage | Storing rice in plastic containers can extend its shelf life by keeping out air and moisture |
| Plastic rice alternative theory | Plastic rice is actually rice that has been stored for up to 10 years and not stored well, causing it to lose its shiny surface |
| Artificial rice | Made from broken rice and other cereals, fortified with vitamins and minerals |
| NutriRice | A type of artificial rice made using hot extrusion technology to address hidden hunger and rice fortification |
| Golden rice | A genetically modified rice that requires no processing to add vitamin A |
| Ultra Rice | First made available in 2005, it helps address vitamin A deficiencies |
| Microplastics in rice | University of Queensland research found humans consume 3-4 mg of plastic per 100g of rice, with instant rice containing 4 times more plastic |
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What You'll Learn
Plastic rice is a myth
The myth of plastic rice has been particularly prevalent in countries dependent on imported rice, such as Ivory Coast and Senegal. In 2016, Nigerian customs authorities confiscated 2.5 tonnes of rice, initially claiming it was plastic. However, they later backtracked, as tests showed no evidence of plastic content. The rice did, however, contain high levels of bacteria.
The persistence of the plastic rice myth can be attributed to several factors. One is the existence of videos on social media that purportedly show the manufacturing of fake rice in factories. However, language barriers can play a role in misinterpreting these videos, as they may be unrelated and used as "proof" due to the inability to understand the audio content. Additionally, the natural characteristics of rice, when prepared in a certain way, can make it bounce, further fuelling the misconception.
It is important to note that artificial rice does exist, but it is not made entirely of plastic. Artificial rice is typically made from broken rice, sometimes with other cereals, and is fortified with micronutrients, minerals, and vitamins. This process of rice fortification addresses issues of hidden hunger and nutritional deficiencies. However, it is distinct from the concept of plastic rice, which implies rice made solely from plastic materials.
While plastic rice may be a myth, it is worth mentioning that rice can be contaminated with microplastics. According to research by the University of Queensland, people consume approximately 3 to 4 milligrams of plastic for every 100 grams of rice, with the number increasing to 13 milligrams per serve for instant rice. Washing rice before cooking can significantly reduce plastic contamination by 20 to 40%.
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Plastic rice rumours originated in China
The rumours of plastic being added to rice to extend it originated in China around 2010. Since then, the story has intermittently made the rounds on social media, with people in Africa, especially in countries dependent on imported rice like Ivory Coast, Senegal, and Nigeria, spreading the rumour.
The rumours were prompted by "fake rice" scandals, although they didn't involve food made entirely out of plastic. In one case, companies were passing off ordinary but edible rice as premium "Wuchang" grains. In 2011, reports emerged that rice was being produced with potatoes and an industrial sticky resin. These rumours were further fuelled by viral videos of 'bouncing rice balls' and videos purporting to show how the rice is made in factories.
In February 2011, Raw Story and The Mary Sue published items about the purported plastic rice controversy, noting that the claims were not substantiated. Various reports in Singapore media have said that Chinese companies are mass-producing fake rice made, in part, out of plastic, according to one online publication, Very Vietnam. The publication noted that a Chinese Restaurant Association official claimed that eating three bowls of this fake rice was like eating one plastic bag. The obvious motivation behind this scheme would be money, as synthetic rice is cheaper to produce.
However, at no point were there confirmed cases of large amounts of plastic chips being passed off as rice. In fact, "plastic rice" is manufactured for use in shipping boxes, and it's likely that the cost of the chips would be more expensive than real rice. Additionally, food safety agencies have yet to find evidence supporting these claims. Tests conducted on confiscated rice in Nigeria showed that it contained high levels of bacteria, but the results were normal for real rice.
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Plastic rice is more prevalent in developing countries
Plastic rice is a term used to refer to rice that is made entirely of plastic or rice that contains traces of plastic. Rumours of plastic rice being manufactured and mixed with real rice started circulating on social media around 2010, with reports of such rice being produced in China. However, there have been no confirmed cases of large amounts of plastic chips being passed off as rice. In fact, plastic rice, which is manufactured for use in shipping boxes, would likely be more expensive to produce than real rice.
Despite the lack of evidence, the rumour of plastic rice has persisted, especially in developing countries in Africa and Asia. These include countries like Ivory Coast, Senegal, Nigeria, and Ghana, which are dependent on imported rice. The persistence of the rumour has led governments and food safety authorities in these regions to address it directly and reassure the public that it is not true.
One reason why the rumour of plastic rice is more prevalent in developing countries could be the lack of robust food safety infrastructure and measures in these regions. Unlike Europe, which has a good food safety network, developing countries may not have the necessary systems in place to detect and prevent the sale of fraudulent or low-quality food products. This makes it easier for unscrupulous individuals or companies to sell potentially harmful products, such as rice containing bacteria or other contaminants.
In addition, language barriers and the spread of misinformation on social media have likely contributed to the prevalence of the plastic rice rumour in developing countries. Videos purporting to show the shady manufacturing of fake rice in factories, for example, can fuel fears and spread misinformation, especially when the audio content is in a language that most viewers cannot understand.
While there may not be rice made entirely of plastic, it is important to note that rice can be contaminated with microplastics. According to research by the University of Queensland, people are consuming three to four milligrams of plastic for every 100 grams of rice, with the number jumping to 13 milligrams per serve for instant rice. Washing rice before cooking can help reduce plastic contamination by 20 to 40 per cent.
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Plastic rice is made from potatoes, sweet potatoes and plastic
Rumours of plastic rice have been circulating on social media since around 2010, with reports claiming that Chinese companies are mass-producing fake rice made from potatoes, sweet potatoes, and plastic. This "rice" is said to be made by mixing and shaping the potato material into rice-like grains, and then adding industrial synthetic resins as a binding agent. While there is no confirmed evidence of large amounts of plastic rice being passed off as real rice, the rumours have persisted and even led to government statements in some countries.
The motivation behind this scheme is believed to be financial, as synthetic rice is cheaper to produce than real rice. However, it is important to note that producing plastic rice would likely be more expensive than growing real rice. The rumours of plastic rice originated from "fake rice" scandals, where companies passed off ordinary rice as premium grains, and reports of rice being produced with potatoes and industrial sticky resin. These incidents sparked concerns about food safety and fraud, especially in countries dependent on imported rice, such as Ivory Coast and Senegal.
To address the rumours, food safety authorities in West Africa have taken a proactive approach by denying the claims and reassuring the public that there is no evidence of plastic rice. Alexander Waugh, director of the UK-based Rice Association, has also stated that while the videos of bouncing rice balls may be authentic, it is due to the natural characteristics of rice and not because the grains are plastic.
While there may not be plastic rice in the market, it is important to remain vigilant and informed about food safety and fraud. Some methods to detect potential issues with rice include checking if it sinks in water, looking for a thick layer on the surface when boiled, and conducting a fungus test. By leaving cooked rice in a container on the counter for a few days, the presence or absence of mould can indicate whether the rice is organic and all-natural.
The concern over plastic rice highlights the importance of food safety and the need for proper infrastructure and measures to detect and deter food fraud. While Europe has a robust food safety network, developing regions may lack the necessary systems, leaving consumers more vulnerable to fraudulent products. The development of analytical tests and smartphone-based analysis tools can empower consumers and authorities to make informed decisions and ensure the safety of the food supply chain.
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Plastic rice is cheaper to produce
While there is no evidence that plastic is added to rice to extend it, there have been persistent rumours of so-called "plastic rice" circulating on social media since about 2010. These rumours originated in China, where companies were passing off ordinary but edible rice as premium "Wuchang" grains. In 2011, reports emerged that rice was being produced with potatoes and an industrial sticky resin. The Chinese Restaurant Association issued a warning that consuming three bowls of this fake rice was the equivalent of eating a plastic bag. However, it is important to note that there were never any confirmed cases of large amounts of plastic chips being passed off as rice. In fact, it is likely that the cost of producing plastic rice would be more expensive than real rice.
The rumours of plastic rice have spread beyond China, particularly to countries in West Africa that are dependent on imported rice, such as Ivory Coast and Senegal. In 2016, Nigerian customs authorities confiscated 2.5 tonnes of rice, initially claiming it was plastic. However, they were later forced to backtrack as there was no evidence to support these claims. While the rice was found to contain high levels of bacteria, it was not made of plastic. The persistence of these rumours has led food safety authorities in West Africa to address them directly, reassuring the public that there is no truth to the claims of plastic rice.
The rumours of plastic rice in Africa may be fuelled by videos circulating on social media that show people bouncing rice balls. However, it is important to note that rice, when prepared correctly, can indeed bounce due to its natural characteristics of carbohydrates and proteins. While there may be some truth to the videos, it is unlikely that the grains in question are entirely made of plastic. Instead, the rumours of plastic rice in Africa may be a result of the region receiving low-quality or expired rice that does not meet food safety standards in other parts of the world.
While there is no evidence of plastic rice, it is important to address the issue of plastic contamination in rice. According to research by the University of Queensland, humans are consuming three to four milligrams of plastic for every 100 grams of rice, with this number increasing to 13 milligrams per serve for instant rice. The research also found that washing rice before cooking can reduce plastic contamination by 20-40%. This issue of plastic contamination is not limited to rice, as plastics have been found in various other food products, including seafood and biosolids.
In summary, while there is no evidence to support the claims of plastic rice, the rumours have persisted due to a combination of social media influence, food safety concerns, and the existence of low-quality or expired rice. It is important to address food fraud and implement measures to improve food safety, especially in regions that lack the infrastructure to detect and prevent the sale of fraudulent or contaminated food products.
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Frequently asked questions
No, this is a myth. While there have been rumours circulating on social media since about 2010 that plastic rice was being manufactured and mixed with real rice, there have been no confirmed cases of this happening.
The rumours were initially prompted by "fake rice" scandals, although they didn't involve food made entirely out of plastic. In one case, companies were passing off ordinary but edible rice as premium "Wuchang" grains. In another case in 2011, reports emerged that rice was being produced with potatoes and an industrial sticky resin.
Rice can be stored in a plastic container with an airtight seal to keep it fresh and safe. Plastic containers are durable, convenient, and easy to stack, saving space in your pantry. They also protect rice from temperature changes.
