Alexei Volkov
Rumours of plastic rice have been circulating since 2010, with viral videos of 'bouncing rice balls' and reports of Chinese companies producing fake rice made from potatoes and plastic. However, food safety agencies have found no evidence to support these claims. University of Queensland research has found that people consume three to four milligrams of plastic per 100 grams of rice, with higher levels in instant rice. While the health impacts of consuming microplastics are still unknown, the contamination of rice with plastic is a concerning issue that requires further research.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Plastic rice existence | No evidence of plastic rice being manufactured and added to real rice |
| Plastic rice myth origin | China, since 2010 |
| Plastic rice myth spread | Social media, fake videos |
| Plastic rice myth prevalence | Africa, Southeast Asia, countries dependent on imported rice |
| Plastic rice myth impact | Governments compelled to make statements, food safety authorities addressing rumours |
| Plastic rice detection methods | Water test, smell test, cooking test |
| Plastic in rice | Microplastics found in store-bought rice, higher levels in instant rice |
| Plastic consumption | 3-4 milligrams of plastic per 100 grams of rice, 13 milligrams per serve for instant rice |
| Plastic contamination reduction | Washing rice before cooking reduced plastic contamination by 20-40% |
| Plastic health impact | Exposure to microplastics poses an element of risk, potential health impacts likely size-dependent |
| Plastic rice alternative theories | Old rice bleached and coated with paraffin wax, artificial rice made from other cereals and fortified with micronutrients |
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What You'll Learn
- Plastic rice is a myth, according to food experts
- Fake videos and social media posts have fuelled the plastic rice rumour
- Plastic rice is sold in parts of the world without food safety checks
- Plastic rice may be old rice that has been bleached and coated with paraffin wax
- University of Queensland research found microplastics in store-bought rice
Plastic rice is a myth, according to food experts
Rumours of plastic rice have been circulating online since about 2010, with reports of plastic rice being manufactured and mixed in with real rice to trick consumers. In 2016, Nigerian customs authorities confiscated 2.5 tonnes of rice, initially claimed to be plastic. However, food experts have since debunked these claims, stating that there is no evidence of plastic rice. While the rice confiscated in Nigeria did contain high levels of bacteria, no plastic was found. Similar rumours have also been addressed and discredited by food safety authorities in West Africa and Ghana.
The origin of these rumours can be traced to fake rice scandals, where ordinary rice was passed off as premium grains. In 2011, there were reports of rice being produced with potatoes and industrial sticky resin, resulting in rice that stayed hard even after cooking. Additionally, there have been warnings about the consumption of crabs, pork, tilapia, chicken, and garlic exported from China, which may contain harmful substances. However, it is important to note that these are unverified claims, and food safety offices and inspectors are available worldwide to address such concerns.
While there may not be large amounts of plastic chips in rice, recent research by the University of Queensland has found that people are consuming three to four milligrams of plastic for every 100 grams of rice, with instant rice containing up to 13 milligrams per serve. These results highlight the early stages of understanding plastic contamination in our food and the potential health risks associated with microplastic consumption. The research also found that washing rice before cooking can reduce plastic contamination by 20 to 40 percent.
Furthermore, it is important to distinguish between artificial rice and plastic rice. Artificial rice, also known as fortified or recomposed rice, is made from rice flour and micronutrients to resemble natural rice. It is often used to address malnutrition and hidden hunger, especially in children. Examples include NutriRice and Ultra Rice, which are fortified with vitamins and minerals. However, artificial rice is not the same as plastic rice, which refers to rice made entirely of plastic.
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Fake videos and social media posts have fuelled the plastic rice rumour
Rumours of plastic being sold as rice have been circulating since around 2010, with some reports claiming that plastic rice was being manufactured in China and mixed in with the real rice supply. While there have been cases of rice being confiscated by authorities in Nigeria and Singapore, in both cases, it was later confirmed that the rice was not made of plastic.
However, this has not stopped the spread of the plastic rice rumour, which has been fuelled by fake videos and social media posts. One such video, published by Blossom and distributed by First Media, has garnered over 93 million views on Facebook and 7.2 million views on Instagram. The video makes a number of false claims, including that rice is mixed with plastic bits to increase manufacturer profits. While First Media has claimed that the video was created for "informational and entertainment" purposes, experts have confirmed that the claims made in the video are false.
Another factor contributing to the spread of the rumour is the reliance on imported rice in some countries. In an interview with the BBC, Capron, who has worked to debunk the plastic rice myth, stated that the rumour is more popular in countries that depend heavily on imported rice, such as Ivory Coast or Senegal. He believes that some people are deliberately sharing fake videos to encourage consumers to buy locally grown rice.
The persistence of the plastic rice rumour has led to governments and food safety authorities addressing it directly. In West African countries, officials have been working to reassure the public that the rumour is not true and that there is no plastic rice being sold in their markets. Hassan Arouni, editor of the BBC's Focus on Africa, believes that addressing the rumours head-on is the best way to reassure the public and demonstrate that the rumour is fake news.
While there may not be evidence of large-scale plastic rice production, it is important to note that recent studies have found microplastics in store-bought rice. Research from the University of Queensland found that 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. The researchers hope that their study will encourage further investigation into the sources of plastic contamination in rice and increase community awareness of the potential risks associated with microplastic consumption.
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Plastic rice is sold in parts of the world without food safety checks
Rumours of plastic rice being manufactured and mixed with real rice to trick consumers have been circulating since around 2010, particularly in Africa and Southeast Asia. While food safety agencies have not found evidence to support these claims, the persistence of the rumours has led governments and authorities to address them directly and conduct laboratory tests to determine the composition of suspected "plastic rice".
In 2016, Nigerian customs authorities confiscated 2.5 tonnes of rice that was initially claimed to be made of plastic. However, the country's health minister later backtracked, stating that there was no evidence of plastic rice, although the rice did contain high levels of bacteria. Similarly, in Ghana, consumers and traders were invited to submit samples of any rice brands they suspected of being made of plastic, and it was concluded that no plastic rice was being sold on the Ghanaian market.
The rumours of plastic rice are believed to have originated in China, with reports of rice being produced with potatoes, sweet potatoes, and industrial sticky resin or synthetic resins. However, it is important to note that creating plastic rice would likely be more expensive than producing real rice, making it unlikely that companies would engage in such practices.
While there may not be definitive evidence of plastic rice, research has found the presence of microplastics in store-bought rice. A study by the University of Queensland revealed 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 percent.
The issue of plastic rice highlights the importance of food safety checks and measures, particularly in regions that heavily rely on imported rice, such as Ivory Coast and Senegal. The lack of infrastructure and government agencies to monitor food safety in developing countries makes them more vulnerable to food fraud and the sale of low-quality products.
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Plastic rice may be old rice that has been bleached and coated with paraffin wax
While there have been reports of "plastic rice" being sold in Africa and Southeast Asia, there is no evidence that it is actually made of plastic. Instead, it is believed to be old rice that has been poorly stored and treated with chemicals to make it appear fresh. This process involves bleaching the rice to restore its white color and coating it with paraffin wax to give it a shiny surface. The resulting product is referred to as "plastic rice" because it does not cook properly due to the wax coating.
The myth of plastic rice has been perpetuated by fake videos and social media posts, which have fueled fears among consumers, particularly in countries heavily reliant on imported rice. In some cases, unscrupulous businessmen have smuggled and sold this rice in local markets, taking advantage of the lack of food safety infrastructure in developing regions.
Food fraud experts and government officials have debunked the claims of plastic rice, assuring the public that it is not a legitimate health concern. They emphasize that while food adulteration and contamination are serious issues, there have been no confirmed cases of large amounts of plastic chips being passed off as rice.
Paraffin wax is commonly used in food packaging and preservation. It is applied to cartons for frozen foods, butter, and margarine to provide water resistance and enhance shelf life. In the case of rice, the wax is sprayed onto the grains to alter their appearance and mask any contamination or poor storage conditions.
While the addition of paraffin wax to rice may not constitute plastic, it is still a form of food adulteration that can impact the cooking properties of the rice and potentially pose health risks to consumers. This highlights the importance of food safety regulations and the need for consumers to be vigilant about the quality and source of their food products.
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University of Queensland research found microplastics in store-bought rice
Rumours about plastic rice have been circulating on social media since around 2010, with some people deliberately sharing fake videos to encourage consumers to buy locally grown rice. In 2016, Nigerian customs authorities confiscated 2.5 tonnes of "plastic rice" and in 2021, a study by the University of Queensland found microplastics in store-bought rice.
The University of Queensland research is the first in the world to quantify the levels of microplastics in rice. The study found that 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. The lead author of the study, Dr Jake O'Brien, said that the research team developed an innovative method to measure the plastic contamination of foods, but they are currently limited to only a few plastic types.
Dr O'Brien also noted that there are many unknowns about how harmful consuming microplastics is to human health, but exposure can cause an element of risk. The study found that washing rice before cooking reduced plastic contamination by 20 to 40 per cent.
The research did not extend to how microwaving instant rice in its pack may affect plastic content. However, as the rice becomes contaminated before being packaged, buying it in plastic or paper makes no difference. Shaking the packet also doesn't help. The study found that polyethylene was the most frequently detected plastic, but small amounts of polypropylene and polyethylene terephthalate were also found.
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Frequently asked questions
There is no evidence that plastic rice is being manufactured and added to real rice. However, according to University of Queensland research, humans 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.
To identify plastic rice, you can pour rice in a bowl and cover it with water. Real rice will sink to the bottom, while plastic rice will float. Alternatively, you can add a thin layer of rice to a hot pan of oil. If the grains contract and melt, you probably have plastic rice.
Viral videos of 'bouncing rice balls' have fuelled fake rumours of "plastic" rice being sold in Africa. People in countries dependent on imported rice like Ivory Coast or Senegal are more likely to believe the rumour.
The University of Queensland research team has developed an innovative method to measure plastic contamination in rice. They aim to encourage further research to reduce contamination and increase community awareness.
According to the University of Queensland research, washing rice before cooking can reduce plastic contamination by 20 to 40 percent.
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