Sofia Martinez
Rumors of plastic rice being sold in Africa and elsewhere have been circulating on social media since about 2010. While there is little evidence that this is a widespread problem, the rumors persist, fueled by viral videos showing bouncing rice balls. In 2016, the Ghana Food and Drugs Authority investigated the claims and concluded that no plastic rice was being sold on the Ghanaian market. Despite this, concerns about plastic rice continue to spread, with some people deliberately sharing fake videos to encourage the consumption of locally grown rice. While plastic rice may not be a real issue, the presence of microplastics in rice, particularly instant rice, has been confirmed by recent studies.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Plastic rice is being sold | Rumours of plastic rice being sold in Africa and elsewhere have been around since 2010. However, there is little evidence that it's a widespread problem. |
| Plastic rice origin | The rumours originated in China. |
| Plastic rice composition | The "rice" is made by mixing potatoes, sweet potatoes, and synthetic resins (plastic). |
| Plastic rice detection | The Ghana Food and Drugs Authority invited consumers and traders to submit samples of suspected plastic rice brands and found no plastic rice being sold on the Ghanaian market. |
| Plastic rice health impact | Consuming plastic rice is said to be extremely harmful and toxic. |
| Microplastics in rice | A University of Queensland study found that people consume 3-4 mg of plastic per 100 g of rice, with instant rice containing about 13 mg of plastic per serve. |
| Reducing plastic contamination in rice | Washing rice before cooking can reduce plastic contamination by 20-40%. |
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What You'll Learn
Plastic rice in Africa
Rumours of plastic rice being sold in Africa have been circulating on social media since around 2010. Videos showing people bouncing rice balls and creating them in factories have fuelled the spread of misinformation. In 2016, the story gained traction when Nigerian customs authorities confiscated 2.5 tonnes of rice, which they initially claimed was plastic. However, the country's health minister refuted these claims, stating there was no evidence that the rice was plastic. Despite this, rumours of plastic rice in Africa persist, particularly in countries dependent on imported rice, such as Ivory Coast and Senegal.
In 2016, reports emerged that some Chinese companies were allegedly mass-producing fake rice made partly from plastic. This rice substitute is created using a mixture of potatoes, sweet potatoes, and synthetic resin, which is then formed into grains resembling real rice. To enhance the deception, the fake rice is sprayed with a fragrance to mimic the smell of authentic rice. While there is no confirmation that this Chinese plastic rice was exported to Africa, the rumours have caused panic and concern among consumers in African countries.
Food fraud experts, such as Chris Elliott, have stated that the rumours of plastic rice are likely incorrect. He suggests that the so-called plastic rice could be actual rice that has been poorly stored for an extended period, resulting in contamination and discolouration. To rectify this, fraudsters may have bleached the rice to restore its white colour and then sprayed it with paraffin wax to recreate the shiny surface. However, this treatment affects the cooking properties of the rice, leading to its description as "plastic rice".
While large-scale instances of plastic rice being passed off as genuine rice have not been confirmed, the desire for cheaper rice in some African countries, such as Nigeria, makes them vulnerable to the counterfeit food industry. The high cost of regular rice creates a market for cheaper alternatives, even if their authenticity is questionable. This situation is exacerbated by porous borders and the banned importation of rice through land borders, leading to rice smuggling and limited ability to regulate the quality and safety of the product.
The potential health consequences of consuming fake rice containing synthetic resins can be severe. Medical experts in Nigeria have warned that ingesting three bowls of such rice is equivalent to consuming a plastic bag, with associated toxic effects on the body. This issue is particularly concerning in a country already facing health challenges such as Lassa fever.
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Plastic rice in China
Since 2011, rumours have been circulating that plastic rice is being manufactured in China and exported to other countries. In February 2011, Raw Story and The Mary Sue published items about the purported plastic rice controversy, noting that the claims were not substantiated. Social media posts and viral videos of 'bouncing rice balls' have fuelled these rumours. However, there is little evidence that plastic rice is a widespread problem.
Singapore media have reported that Chinese companies are mass-producing fake rice made, in part, out of plastic. The "rice" is allegedly made by mixing potatoes, sweet potatoes, and plastic, then adding an industrial resin as a binding agent. It is formed into grains that resemble real rice, then sprayed with a fragrance to mimic the smell of Wuchang rice. However, consuming this "plastic rice" is extremely harmful and toxic to one's health. One Chinese official warned that eating three bowls of this man-made rice would be equivalent to ingesting one plastic bag.
In 2016, Nigerian customs authorities confiscated 2.5 tonnes of rice that was initially believed to be plastic. However, the country's health minister later stated that there was no evidence to support these claims. While the rice did not contain plastic, tests showed that it contained a high level of bacteria.
The persistence of the plastic rice rumours may be due to protectionism and a distrust of foreign imports, particularly in countries dependent on imported rice. Some people may be deliberately sharing fake videos to encourage consumers to buy locally grown rice. Food safety authorities in West Africa are addressing the rumours head-on to reassure the public that they are false.
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Plastic rice in South East Asia
Rumours of plastic rice being sold in South East Asia and Africa have been circulating on social media since around 2010, with reports of plastic rice being manufactured in China and mixed in with the real rice supply to trick consumers. In 2016, the story resurfaced on Facebook, with blog posts detailing how certain rice factories in China were producing a "fake rice substitute" in place of the more expensive Wuchang rice for greater profit. This "plastic rice" was said to be made from a mixture of potatoes, sweet potatoes, and synthetic resin (plastic). The rice substitute was also sprayed with a fragrance to mimic the smell of Wuchang rice, making it harder to distinguish from the real thing.
However, there is little evidence that plastic rice is a widespread problem. Food fraud expert Chris Elliott, professor of food safety and founder of the Institute for Global Food Security at Queen's University Belfast, has been investigating rice fraud for several years and believes that the reports of plastic rice are likely incorrect. He explains that plastic is more expensive than rice, so it wouldn't make economic sense for fraudsters to create rice out of plastic. Instead, he suggests that the so-called "plastic rice" may be actual rice that has been poorly stored for up to a decade, becoming contaminated with moulds and losing its typical white colour. To counteract this, fraudsters may have bleached the rice to restore its colour, but this also removes the shiny surface, so they sprayed it with paraffin wax to mimic genuine rice. This could be the reason it was called "plastic rice" due to its unusual cooking properties.
Despite the lack of widespread evidence, there have been some isolated incidents that have fuelled the rumours. In 2016, Nigerian customs authorities confiscated 2.5 tonnes of rice initially believed to be plastic. However, these claims were later refuted by the country's health minister, who stated there was no evidence that the rice was made of plastic. Tests did show, however, that the rice contained high levels of bacteria. In another incident in Indonesia, samples of rice were found to contain traces of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and plasticizers used in the manufacture of PVC.
The persistence of the plastic rice rumours may be due to several factors. Firstly, viral videos showing bouncing rice balls and the alleged manufacturing process of plastic rice have contributed to the spread of misinformation. While rice can bounce when prepared in a certain way, these videos have been shared deliberately by some to encourage consumers to buy locally grown rice. Secondly, protectionism and a distrust of foreign imports, particularly from China, may also play a role in the prevalence of these rumours. Finally, language barriers have also contributed, as videos with unrelated content can be mislabelled as "proof" of fraudulent practices when most viewers cannot understand the audio.
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Plastic rice in the West
Rumours of plastic rice being sold in the West have been circulating on social media since around 2010, with viral videos showing bouncing rice balls. However, there is little evidence that this is a widespread problem in Western countries, and food safety agencies have not found any proof to support these claims.
The rumours of plastic rice originated in China, with reports of fake rice scandals and companies passing off ordinary rice as premium "Wuchang" grains. In 2011, there were reports that rice was being produced with potatoes and industrial sticky resin, resulting in a Chinese restaurant association official warning that eating three bowls of this "plastic rice" was equivalent to consuming a plastic bag. Despite these concerns, there have been no confirmed cases of large amounts of plastic chips being passed off as rice in Western markets.
The persistence of plastic rice rumours in the West may be attributed to protectionism and a distrust of foreign imports, particularly in countries heavily dependent on imported rice. These rumours have prompted governments and food safety authorities, especially in Africa, to address the issue and reassure consumers about the absence of plastic rice in their markets.
While plastic rice may not be a significant issue in the West, it is important for consumers to remain vigilant and informed. Simple tests, such as the water test or microwave test, can help identify potential plastic rice contamination. By submerging rice in water, plastic rice will float, while real rice will sink due to its density. Alternatively, microwaving equal parts rice and water can reveal a layer of plastic residue skimmed from the surface.
It is worth noting that artificial rice or rice substitutes do exist, but they are made from edible ingredients rather than plastic. These substitutes are typically produced to address malnutrition or fortify rice with vitamins and minerals.
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Microplastics in instant rice
There have been various reports and rumours of plastic rice being sold in Africa and Asia. In 2016, Nigerian customs authorities confiscated 2.5 tonnes of rice suspected to be plastic. However, tests showed no evidence of plastic rice, although the rice did contain high levels of bacteria. Similar rumours have circulated in Senegal, The Gambia, Ghana, and Singapore, with social media posts claiming that Chinese companies are mass-producing fake rice made partly from plastic. These claims are difficult to substantiate, and food authorities have found no plastic rice in their investigations.
While there is little evidence of plastic being sold directly as rice, microplastics have been detected in rice products, including instant rice. 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 amount jumping to 13 milligrams per serve for instant rice. The study found that washing rice before cooking can reduce plastic contamination by 20 to 40 percent.
The presence of microplastics in rice is a growing concern, as the potential health effects on humans are still unknown. While some studies suggest that ingested microplastics can affect reproduction in laboratory mice, it is challenging to determine the specific effects on human health due to exposure to various substances. However, environmental contamination experts recommend reducing plastic use at home to minimise potential risks.
The Queensland research team developed an innovative method to quantify microplastic levels in rice, adapting techniques previously used to study plastics in seafood and biosolids. This study is the first to measure the levels of microplastics in rice, highlighting the need for further research to reduce contamination and increase awareness of plastic exposure in daily life.
While the direct substitution of rice with plastic may not be prevalent, the issue of microplastics in rice, especially instant rice, is a cause for concern. More studies are needed to understand the health implications and develop strategies to minimise plastic contamination in our food sources.
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Frequently asked questions
No, despite rumours and viral videos, there is little evidence that plastic is being sold as rice.
The rumours originated in China around 2010, with reports of plastic rice being manufactured and mixed in with real rice.
The rumour is fuelled by viral videos showing bouncing rice balls and people deliberately sharing fake content to encourage the purchase of locally grown rice.
Yes, consuming plastic rice is extremely harmful and toxic to one's health.
According to University of Queensland research, people are consuming three to four milligrams of plastic for every 100 grams of rice they eat, with the number jumping to 13 milligrams per serve for instant rice.
