Alexei Volkov
Since 2010, rumours have been circulating that rice is being filled with plastic bits. Videos showing people bouncing rice balls and how rice is made in factories have fuelled these rumours. However, food safety agencies have found no evidence to support these claims. While there is no plastic rice, research has found that people consume three to four milligrams of plastic for every 100 grams of rice, with the number jumping to 13 milligrams per serve for instant rice.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Plastic rice origin | Rumors originated in China in 2010 and spread on social media by 2011 |
| Plastic rice composition | Plastic rice is made by mixing potatoes, sweet potatoes, and plastic; industrial synthetic resins are added to the mix |
| Plastic rice detection methods | Rice is added to water to check if it sinks or floats; rice is microwaved or boiled to check for a layer of plastic residue; rice is added to a hot pan of oil to see if it contracts and melts |
| Plastic rice health impact | Microplastics have been found in instant rice, with an average of 13 mg per 100 g of rice; washing rice before cooking can reduce plastic contamination by 20-40% |
| Plastic rice prevalence | No confirmed cases of large amounts of plastic chips being passed off as rice; food safety agencies have not found evidence of plastic rice |
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What You'll Learn
Plastic rice is a myth
Since the early 2010s, rumours have circulated globally that plastic rice is being sold as real rice. Videos have surfaced purporting to show how the rice is made in factories, as well as people bouncing rice balls, which they claim is only possible due to the presence of plastic. However, these rumours are unfounded, and food safety agencies have found no evidence to support the claims. Plastic rice is a myth.
The myth of plastic rice being sold as real rice first emerged in China in 2010, with rumours spreading on Chinese social media by 2011. It was alleged that the "rice" was made by mixing potatoes and sweet potatoes with plastic and synthetic resin, and formed into the shape of rice grains. However, there have been no 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 higher than that of real rice, making it unviable for manufacturers.
The persistence of the rumours has been attributed to protectionism and a distrust of foreign imports, particularly in countries dependent on imported rice such as Ivory Coast and Senegal. In some cases, individuals have deliberately shared fake videos to encourage consumers to buy locally grown rice. The spread of the rumours has also been facilitated by language barriers, with unrelated videos being labelled as "proof" of the practice due to the inability of viewers to understand the audio content.
While there is no evidence of plastic rice being sold as real rice, it is important to note that microplastics have been detected in store-bought rice. A study by the University of Queensland found that people consume three to four milligrams of plastic for every 100 grams of rice, with the levels being four times higher in instant rice. The study also found that washing rice before cooking reduced plastic contamination by 20 to 40 per cent.
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Videos fuel the plastic rice myth
The plastic rice rumour has been circulating since 2010, with some reports claiming that rice was being produced with potatoes and industrial sticky resin. The rumour was further fuelled by videos showing people bouncing rice balls, which purportedly demonstrated how the rice was made in factories. These videos may be authentic, but they do not prove that the grains are plastic. Rice, when prepared in a certain way, can also bounce.
The plastic rice rumour is particularly prevalent in countries dependent on imported rice, such as Ivory Coast and Senegal. In these countries, the rumour has gained so much traction that governments have been compelled to make statements denying the existence of plastic rice.
While there is no evidence of large amounts of plastic chips being passed off as rice, the rumour persists and is fuelled by protectionism and distrust of foreign imports. Some people deliberately share fake videos to encourage consumers to buy locally grown rice.
It is important to note that plastic rice would likely be more expensive to produce than real rice, and companies would have no financial incentive to make it. Additionally, real rice will sink in water, while plastic rice will float.
Despite the lack of evidence, the plastic rice rumour has had significant impacts. In 2016, Nigerian customs authorities confiscated 2.5 tonnes of rice, initially claiming it was plastic. They were later forced to backtrack when the country's health minister found no evidence to support these claims.
While there may not be plastic rice on the market, it is true that people are consuming small amounts of plastic through their rice. A study by the University of Queensland found that people consume three to four milligrams of plastic per 100 grams of rice, with the number jumping to 13 milligrams per serve for instant rice. The study also found that washing rice before cooking reduced plastic contamination by 20 to 40 per cent.
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Plastic rice detection methods
The idea that rice is filled with plastic bits is a long-standing rumour with little evidence to support it. Food safety agencies have not found any evidence of plastic rice, and it is unlikely that companies would use plastic, a more expensive material, to cut costs. Nevertheless, there are several methods that have been suggested for detecting plastic rice.
Water Test
One common suggestion is to perform a water test. Place some uncooked rice in a glass of water and stir. If the rice floats, it is likely to be plastic, as real rice is denser and will sink to the bottom.
Heat Test
Another test involves applying heat to the rice. You can do this by boiling the rice and observing whether a thick layer forms at the top of the vessel. Alternatively, you can add a thin layer of rice to a hot pan of oil. If the rice contracts and melts, it is likely to be plastic. Additionally, when heated, plastic rice may release a plastic smell.
Mould Test
A third method is to observe whether the rice supports the growth of mould. After boiling the rice, place some of it in a bottle and leave it for two to three days. If mould does not form, this may indicate that the rice is fake, as plastic rice is believed to be unable to support mould growth.
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Plastic rice health risks
Although there is little evidence that it is a widespread problem, rumours of plastic rice have been circulating since 2010, particularly on social media. In 2016, the Nigerian Customs Service intercepted 2.5 tons of rice that was smuggled into the country. The customs chief initially claimed that the rice was plastic, but the country's health minister later backtracked, stating there was no evidence to support those claims. Tests showed that the rice contained high levels of bacteria, but the results were normal for real rice.
The plastic rice rumour is especially prevalent in countries dependent on imported rice, such as those in West Africa. Videos circulating online show people bouncing rice balls and purport to reveal the manufacturing process of fake rice in factories. However, rice industry experts have debunked these rumours, explaining that rice, when cooked properly, can indeed bounce due to its carbohydrate and protein content.
While there have been no confirmed cases of plastic rice being passed off as real rice, it is still important to be vigilant. Here are some ways to identify potential plastic rice:
- Water Test: Place rice in a bowl and cover it with water. Real rice will sink to the bottom due to its density, while plastic rice will float.
- Microwave Test: Combine equal parts rice and water in a microwave-safe bowl and microwave on high for 3-5 minutes. If a layer of plastic residue forms on the surface, it is likely plastic rice.
- Heat Test: Add a thin layer of rice to a hot pan of oil. If the grains contract and melt, it is likely plastic rice.
It is essential to note that consuming plastic rice can be detrimental to one's health. Plastic is not digestible and can lead to intestinal blockage and other digestive issues. Additionally, if the plastic is heated, toxic chemicals may be released, posing further health risks.
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Plastic rice origin
Suspicions about plastic being passed off as rice have been circulating online since 2010, with reports of plastic rice being manufactured in China and exported to other countries. In 2011, Raw Story and The Mary Sue published items about the purported plastic rice controversy, noting that the claims were not substantiated. The same year, rumours circulated that Chinese companies were mass-producing fake rice made from potatoes, sweet potatoes, and plastic. This "rice" was said to be made by mixing the potato material, shaping it into grains, and then adding an "industrial resin" as a binding agent. The rice was also sprayed with a fragrance to mimic the smell of real rice.
These rumours were further fuelled by viral videos of 'bouncing rice balls', which purported to show how the rice was made in factories. In 2016, the story gained traction on social media, with reports of plastic rice being sold in Africa. That year, Nigerian customs authorities confiscated 2.5 tonnes of rice that was initially claimed to be plastic. However, these claims were later refuted by the country's health minister, who said there was no evidence that the rice was plastic. Despite this, the incident fuelled the plastic rice rumour across Africa, with governments compelled to make statements denying the existence of plastic rice.
While there have been concerns about plastic rice being passed off as real rice, food safety agencies have yet to find evidence to support these claims. It is also unlikely that companies would save money by adding plastic to real rice, as the cost of plastic chips is typically more expensive than rice. However, the persistence of the rumours has been attributed to protectionism and a distrust of foreign imports, with some people deliberately sharing fake videos to encourage the consumption of locally grown rice.
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Frequently asked questions
Real rice will sink in water, whereas plastic rice will float to the surface. You can also add a thin layer of rice to a hot pan of oil, and if the grains contract and melt, it's likely plastic rice. Another test is to microwave equal parts rice and water, and if there's a layer of plastic residue on the surface, it's plastic rice.
There is no evidence that rice is being manufactured with plastic and sold to consumers. Food safety agencies have not found evidence of plastic rice. However, there are some videos circulating online that claim to show plastic rice being made in factories. It's also been found that people consume three to four milligrams of plastic for every 100 grams of rice, with higher levels in instant rice.
The rumour that rice is filled with plastic bits likely stems from protectionism and a distrust of foreign imports, particularly from China. The rumour is especially popular in countries that are dependent on imported rice.
