Omar Khalid
Rumours of plastic rice being sold in Africa and other parts of the world have been circulating on social media since around 2010. While there is little evidence that it is a widespread problem, the rumours persist, fuelled by viral videos showing bouncing rice balls and people claiming they are being sold rice made from plastic. Despite authorities in countries like Ghana and Nigeria investigating these claims, no large amounts of plastic chips being passed off as rice have been found. However, some reports suggest that poorly stored rice or artificial rice made from other starches and synthetic resins may be the source of the plastic rice claims.
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What You'll Learn
Plastic rice a myth, caused by rice stored for a long time
Rumours of "plastic rice" being sold in Africa and other parts of the world have been circulating on social media since around 2010. The rumours were originally prompted by "fake rice" scandals, although they didn't involve food made entirely out of plastic. In 2016, Nigerian customs authorities confiscated 2.5 tonnes of rice, initially claimed to be plastic, but later found to be real rice with a high level of bacteria.
Despite little evidence that it's a widespread problem, the rumours persist, fuelled by viral videos showing bouncing rice balls and people making rice in factories. However, food fraud expert, Chris Elliott, claims that the "plastic rice" is likely actual rice that has been poorly stored for up to 10 years. He attributes the rumours to protectionism and a distrust of foreign imports, particularly in countries highly dependent on imported rice, such as Ivory Coast and Senegal.
In response to the rumours, the Ghana Food and Drugs Authority invited 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. Similarly, a food fraud expert in Edinburgh also debunked the myth, stating that plastic is more expensive than rice, so it wouldn't make economic sense to produce it.
While there may not be rice made entirely of plastic, it is important to address the issue of microplastics in 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 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. While the health effects of consuming microplastics are still being studied, Dr. Jake O'Brien from the University of Queensland's Queensland Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences emphasizes the importance of understanding the quantity of microplastics we could be consuming through staple foods like rice.
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Plastic rice rumours fuelled by social media and fake videos
Rumours of plastic rice being sold in Africa and other parts of the world have been circulating on social media since about 2010. While there is little evidence that it is a widespread problem, the rumours persist, fuelled by viral videos showing bouncing rice balls and people making fake rice in factories.
In 2016, the story reached social media in Africa when Nigerian customs authorities confiscated 2.5 tonnes of rice, initially claimed to be plastic. The authorities were later forced to backtrack when the country's health minister said there was no evidence for the claims. However, tests showed that the rice contained a high level of bacteria.
The Ghana Food and Drugs Authority also investigated the rumours and found no plastic rice being sold on the Ghanaian market. Despite these findings, the rumours continue to spread, with recent reports in Senegal, The Gambia, and Ghana.
Some people believe that the rumours of plastic rice originate in China, where fake rice scandals have occurred in the past. In 2016, reports in Singapore media alleged that some Chinese companies were producing fake rice made in part from plastic. However, food fraud experts suggest that it is unlikely that large amounts of plastic chips are being passed off as rice, as the cost of plastic is typically higher than the cost of rice.
While there may not be widespread evidence of plastic rice, there are concerns about other forms of food fraud and the presence of microplastics in rice. University of Queensland research 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. Washing rice before cooking can help reduce plastic contamination.
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Plastic rice in China made from potatoes, sweet potatoes and plastic
Rumours of plastic rice being sold in Africa and elsewhere have circulated on social media since about 2010. The rumours originated in China, where companies were allegedly manufacturing plastic rice and mixing it in with the real rice supply to trick consumers. Despite little evidence that it's a widespread problem, the rumours have persisted, fuelled by viral videos showing people bouncing rice balls and demonstrating how the rice is made in factories.
In 2016, the story gained traction in the media when Nigerian customs authorities confiscated 2.5 tonnes of rice, initially claiming it was plastic. However, they were later forced to backtrack when the country's health minister said there was no evidence for the claims. Tests showed that the rice did, however, contain a high level of bacteria.
While there have been no confirmed cases of large amounts of plastic chips being passed off as rice, the rumours were prompted by ""fake rice" scandals in China, where companies passed 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, and a Chinese Restaurant Association official warned that eating three bowls of this "plastic rice" was the equivalent of eating one plastic bag.
According to some reports, the "plastic rice" is made by mixing potatoes, sweet potatoes, and plastic. The potatoes are formed into the shape of rice grains, and industrial synthetic resins are added to the mix. However, food fraud experts have suggested that the "plastic rice" could be actual rice that has been poorly stored for up to 10 years, as plastic is more expensive than rice and would melt at high temperatures.
While the rumours of plastic rice in China and elsewhere have largely been debunked, they have had a significant impact, with governments and food safety authorities addressing the concerns to reassure the public.
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Plastic rice is toxic and harmful to health
While there is little evidence that plastic rice is a widespread problem, there have been several reports and rumours of plastic rice being sold, particularly in Africa and Asia. In 2016, Nigerian customs authorities initially claimed that the rice they had confiscated was plastic, but these claims were later refuted by the country's health minister. Similarly, in 2016, reports emerged from Singapore and Vietnam that Chinese companies were producing fake rice made from potatoes, sweet potatoes, and plastic. This "rice" was formed into grains and had industrial resins added as a binding agent.
Consuming plastic rice is extremely harmful and toxic to one's health. A Chinese official warned that eating three bowls of this fake rice would be like consuming a plastic bag. The presence of industrial resins and synthetic materials in the rice can pose serious health risks. Additionally, there are concerns about the potential impact of consuming microplastics, which have been found in store-bought rice, including pre-cooked and instant rice varieties. While the health effects of microplastics are still being studied, exposure to them is known to carry some level of risk.
It is important to note that the term "plastic rice" may also refer to artificial or fortified rice, which is made from broken rice and fortified with vitamins and minerals. This type of rice is not inherently toxic or harmful and can be beneficial in addressing malnutrition and hidden hunger. Examples include NutriRice and Ultra Rice, which have been recognised for their potential to address nutritional deficiencies.
To minimise the risk of consuming plastic rice and reduce potential exposure to microplastics, consumers are advised to purchase rice from reputable sources and inspect the product for any unusual characteristics. Washing rice before cooking can also help reduce plastic contamination by up to 40%.
In summary, while the existence of plastic rice may not be a widespread issue, consuming it can have toxic effects on health. It is important for consumers to be vigilant and for authorities to address rumours and conduct necessary investigations to ensure food safety.
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Microplastics in rice: 3-4mg of plastic in 100g of rice
Rumours of "plastic rice" being sold in Africa and other parts of the world have circulated on social media since about 2010. These rumours were originally prompted by "fake rice" scandals, although they didn't involve food made entirely out of plastic. Despite little evidence that it's a widespread problem, the rumours persist, fuelled by viral videos showing people bouncing rice balls and rice that does not cook.
In 2016, Nigerian customs authorities confiscated 2.5 tonnes of rice, initially claimed to be plastic, but later found to contain high levels of bacteria. In 2017, the Ghana Food and Drugs Authority invited consumers and traders to submit samples of any rice brands they suspected of being made of plastic and concluded that there was no plastic rice being sold on the Ghanaian market.
While there may not be rice made entirely of plastic, research has found that rice does contain microplastics. A study by 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 study also found that washing rice before cooking reduced plastic contamination by 20 to 40 per cent.
Dr Jake O'Brien, the lead author of the study, said that the plastic likely enters during agricultural and other processing. Over time, the wear and tear of plastic equipment used cause it to fragment, and tiny bits get into the rice. As each small grain of rice has a large surface area, a relatively large amount of plastic can accompany a relatively small amount of rice.
Microplastics have been found to contaminate food and beverages intended for human consumption, with potential health hazards including gastrointestinal disorders, immunity, respiratory problems, cancer, infertility, and alteration in chromosomes. However, the impact of microplastics on human health is still being researched, and methods to measure plastic contamination are in the early stages of development.
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Frequently asked questions
There is little evidence that plastic rice is a widespread problem. However, some people believe that certain Chinese companies are manufacturing fake rice made from potatoes, sweet potatoes, and plastic. This rice is said to stay hard even after being cooked. While there is no confirmation of this, it is advised to be cautious and aware of the potential risks associated with consuming such products.
It is difficult to identify plastic rice as it is usually mixed with real rice. However, you can look for abnormal rice grains that are translucent or do not cook evenly. It is also recommended to check for updates from trusted sources and government agencies that may provide information on specific brands or recalls.
Consuming plastic or synthetic rice is considered extremely harmful to one's health. According to a Chinese official, eating three bowls of fake rice is equivalent to ingesting a plastic bag. Additionally, University of Queensland research found that people consume three to four milligrams of plastic for every 100 grams of rice, with higher levels in instant rice.
