Sofia Martinez
There have been rumours circulating on social media since 2010 that royal basmati rice is fake plastic rice. These rumours were originally prompted by fake rice scandals, although they did not involve food made entirely out of plastic. There is no conclusive evidence of plastic rice, and it is likely that the cost of plastic chips would be more expensive than real rice. However, there have been reports of rice being produced with potatoes and industrial sticky resin, as well as being mixed with plastic impurities. Consuming fake or adulterated rice can have serious health consequences, so it is important to be able to identify it through identification methods such as the burn test, water test, and frying test.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Origin of the myth | China |
| Year of origin | 2010 |
| Reason for origin | "Fake rice" scandals |
| Confirmation by authorities | No confirmed cases of large amounts of plastic chips being passed off as rice |
| Plastic rice manufactured for | Use in shipping boxes |
| Confirmation by Nigerian customs authorities | Confiscated 2.5 tonnes of rice suspected to be plastic but later confirmed to be rice contaminated with microorganisms |
| Confirmation by the Telengana government | Reports termed as 'fake and baseless' |
| Confirmation by Dubai Municipality's Food Safety Department | All types of rice in the markets are natural rice, and there is no known plastic rice in the market |
| Ways to identify fake rice | Burn test, water test, frying test |
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What You'll Learn
- Plastic rice rumours originated in China in 2010
- Videos of people bouncing rice balls have fuelled plastic rice concerns
- There is no evidence of plastic rice being more expensive than real rice
- Fake rice can contain harmful substances and chemicals
- Food safety authorities are addressing plastic rice rumours
Plastic rice rumours originated in China in 2010
The term "plastic rice" was first used in China in 2010, when Chinese rice manufacturers added flavouring to ordinary rice and sold it as Wuchang rice, which is China's premium rice variety. Sometime later, the term "plastic rice" was used again, this time in Korea, where distributors were selling fake rice made from a mixture of potatoes, sweet potatoes, and plastic.
In 2011, social media rumours asserted that plastic rice was being manufactured in China, exported, and consumed by people in other countries unaware that the rice they were eating was not real. These rumours claimed that the "rice" was made by mixing potatoes, sweet potatoes, and plastic, with an industrial resin as a binding agent. A Chinese Restaurant Association official stated that eating three bowls of this fake rice would be like eating one plastic bag. However, at no point were there confirmed cases of large amounts of plastic chips being passed off as rice.
The rumours were further fuelled by viral videos of 'bouncing rice balls', which purportedly showed how the rice was made in factories. These rumours were particularly prevalent in countries dependent on imported rice, such as Ivory Coast and Senegal, and even compelled governments in West African countries to make statements denying the existence of plastic rice.
In 2016, the story resurfaced on Facebook and inspired new blog posts about the years-old claim. This time, the claim was that certain rice factories in China had been producing a "fake rice substitute" in place of Wuchang rice, for greater profit. The same year, Nigerian customs authorities confiscated 2.5 tons of rice, which they initially claimed was plastic. However, they later backtracked when the country's health minister stated there was no evidence for these claims.
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Videos of people bouncing rice balls have fuelled plastic rice concerns
Since around 2010, rumours have been circulating on social media that plastic rice is being manufactured and mixed with real rice supplies. While there is little evidence that this is a widespread problem, the rumours have persisted, fuelled by videos of people bouncing rice balls. These videos have gone viral, particularly in countries dependent on imported rice, such as those in West Africa.
In the videos, people shape cooked rice into balls and bounce them against walls, claiming that the rice is made of plastic. The rumours spread in Senegal, The Gambia, Ghana, and India, prompting investigations by food safety authorities. These investigations found no evidence of plastic rice being sold in these markets.
Alexander Waugh, director of the UK-based Rice Association, commented that the videos may be authentic, but not because the grains are plastic. Waugh explained that rice, when prepared in a certain way, can bounce due to its natural characteristics of carbohydrates and proteins. Dr Nagappa G Malleshi, a former head of Grains, Science and Technology, agreed, stating that rice is 80% starch, which contains amylose and amylopectin. When cooked, these components cause the rice to become sticky, and when mashed into a ball, the rice will bounce due to air entrapment.
The rumours of plastic rice likely originated from "fake rice" scandals in China, where companies passed off ordinary rice as premium grains, and in 2011, when reports emerged of rice being produced with potatoes and industrial sticky resin. While there may be no truth to the claims of plastic rice, the rumours have had a significant impact, with consumers becoming fearful and suspicious of the rice they are being served.
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There is no evidence of plastic rice being more expensive than real rice
There is no evidence that plastic rice exists or is more expensive than real rice. The myth of plastic rice being sold to consumers likely originated in China around 2010, with rumours spreading on social media of plastic rice being manufactured and mixed with real rice. In one case, companies were passing off ordinary rice as premium "Wuchang" grains, and in another, it was reported that rice was being produced with potatoes and industrial sticky resin. However, there were never any confirmed cases of large amounts of plastic chips being passed off as rice.
The myth gained traction in 2016 when Nigerian customs authorities claimed to have confiscated 2.5 tonnes of plastic rice. However, this was later disproven by the country's health minister, who stated that lab tests showed no evidence of plastic rice. The rice was, however, found to contain high levels of bacteria and was deemed unfit for consumption.
The fear of plastic rice has persisted, fuelled by viral videos on social media showing people bouncing rice balls, claiming that this is due to the presence of plastic. While these videos may seem convincing, they are not credible evidence. Alexander Waugh, director of the UK-based Rice Association, stated that rice, when prepared in a certain way, can indeed bounce, and this is due to its natural characteristics of carbohydrates and proteins.
There are simple tests that can be performed at home to identify fake or adulterated rice, such as the water test, burn test, and frying test. However, it is important to note that consuming fake or adulterated rice can have serious health consequences, as it may contain harmful substances and chemicals. Therefore, it is crucial to purchase rice from trusted brands or sources and to prioritise food safety.
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Fake rice can contain harmful substances and chemicals
While there is no evidence of plastic rice being sold, fake rice can still contain harmful substances and chemicals. For example, in 2016, Nigerian authorities seized 2.5 tonnes of fake rice. Although tests showed that it was not plastic, the rice did contain a high level of bacteria.
In another instance, a customer in Lagos bought 10 cups of fake rice. She said that it "looked perfectly normal and cost less [than regular rice]", but after cooking it, she noticed a strange chemical aroma and decided to throw it away. This fake rice was later described as "sticky" by Mamudu Haruna, comptroller of the Federal Operations Unit, who warned that "only God knows what would have happened if people consumed it". Dr. Victoria Feyikemi of Babcock University Hospital Ogun State, Nigeria, also commented on the dangers of consuming fake rice, stating that it contains synthetic resin, which is harmful to the body.
In addition to harmful bacteria and chemicals, fake rice may also contain toxic metals such as arsenic, lead, and cadmium. These metals can enter the human body through diet, occupation, or air pollution, and exposure to them has been linked to various cancers. While rice is not the only food that contains these toxic metals, it does accumulate more arsenic than other food crops, making it the single biggest food source of inorganic arsenic (the more toxic form).
The high levels of arsenic in rice are likely due to the use of contaminated water for cooking and irrigation, as rice grains easily absorb arsenic from water. Pollution from human activities such as industrialization is another contributing factor, as arsenic levels in the environment have been increasing due to pesticides, herbicides, wood preservatives, phosphate fertilizers, industrial waste, mining activities, coal burning, and smelting.
As a result, the long-term ingestion of inorganic arsenic from rice may lead to various health problems and increase the risk of chronic diseases, especially for those who eat rice every day or consume rice-based diets. Young children, pregnant women, and those on milk-free or gluten-free diets are also more vulnerable to the harmful effects of arsenic in rice.
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Food safety authorities are addressing plastic rice rumours
Rumours of plastic rice being sold in Africa and other parts of the world have been circulating on social media since about 2010. Food safety authorities in West Africa have been addressing these rumours directly, with Ghana's Food and Drugs Authority, for example, inviting consumers and traders to submit samples of any rice brands they suspected of being made of plastic. Their investigation concluded that there was no plastic rice being sold on the Ghanaian market.
In 2016, the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) intercepted 2.5 tons of rice smuggled into the country. Customs officials initially claimed that the rice was plastic, but the country's health minister later said there was no evidence for the claims. Tests showed that the rice contained a high level of bacteria, but not plastic.
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. Then in 2011, reports emerged that rice was being produced with potatoes and an industrial sticky resin.
Despite little evidence that plastic rice is a widespread problem, rumours persist, fuelled by viral videos showing bouncing rice balls. Food fraud expert Chris Elliott says reports about plastic rice are likely incorrect, as plastic is more expensive than rice. He suggests that it could be actual rice that has been poorly stored for a long time. Elliott has been working on developing quick analytical tests to detect food fraud, including smartphone-based analysis using the "fingerprints" of food.
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Frequently asked questions
Plastic rice refers to the myth that rice is being manufactured out of plastic and mixed in with real rice supplies. This myth originated in China around 2010 and was prompted by "fake rice" scandals.
There are a few tests you can perform to identify fake rice. The burn test involves burning a small amount of rice and smelling for a plastic-like scent. Authentic rice will not emit a plastic smell. The water test involves placing a spoonful of rice in a bowl of water. If the rice floats, it is likely fake, as plastic does not sink in water. The frying test involves adding a small amount of rice to very hot oil and observing its behaviour. Genuine rice should also have a consistent size, shape, colour, and a pleasant aroma.
Royal Basmati rice is a type of rice that comes in 10-pound and 20-pound bags. It has received mixed reviews, with some customers pleased with its flavourful and fluffy grains, while others find it clumpy and lacking taste.
There is no evidence that Royal Basmati rice is fake plastic rice. The myth of plastic rice has been debunked by various sources, including government authorities and food safety departments. However, there have been cases of rice adulteration, where rice has been found to be contaminated with microorganisms or mixed with plastic impurities. It is important to purchase rice from reliable sources and ensure its authenticity before consuming.
