Alexei Volkov
Rumours of plastic rice being sold in Africa and other parts of the world have been circulating since 2010, fuelled by viral videos showing bouncing rice balls. While food safety agencies have found little evidence to support these claims, the persistence of the rumours has led some governments to make official statements denying the presence of plastic rice in their markets. In this article, we will explore the origins of these rumours, the potential dangers of consuming plastic rice, and the methods used to identify and test for its presence.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Plastic rice existence | Rumours of plastic rice being sold in Africa and elsewhere have been circulating since 2010, but food safety agencies have not found any evidence. |
| Reasons for the rumours | Viral videos of 'bouncing rice balls' and fake videos that allegedly show how rice is made in factories. |
| Plastic rice identification | Real rice will sink in water, whereas plastic rice will float. When cooked, plastic rice may leave a thick residue of melted plastic. |
| Health impact | Consuming plastic rice is extremely harmful and toxic to one's health. |
| Plastic rice composition | A mixture of potatoes, sweet potatoes, and synthetic resin (plastic) formed into grains resembling actual rice. |
| Plastic rice contamination | People are consuming 3-4 milligrams of plastic for every 100 grams of rice, with higher levels in instant rice. |
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What You'll Learn
Plastic rice is likely a myth
The rumours of plastic rice originated in China, with reports of fake rice substitutes being produced in place of the more expensive Wuchang rice. These substitutes were made from a mixture of potatoes, sweet potatoes, and synthetic resin (plastic), which were formed into grains resembling actual rice. The rice substitute was then sprayed with a fragrance to mimic the smell of Wuchang rice. While consuming this "plastic rice" is considered harmful and toxic, it is important to note that there have been no confirmed cases of large amounts of plastic chips being passed off as rice.
In some instances, ordinary but edible rice was passed off as premium "Wuchang" grains. Additionally, there have been reports of rice being produced with potatoes and industrial sticky resin, but no confirmation of it being made entirely of plastic. The high cost of producing plastic rice and the presence of food safety authorities in exporting countries make it unlikely that plastic rice is a widespread issue.
While the existence of plastic rice is questionable, it is worth mentioning that food fraud and the sale of low-quality products do occur. For example, in 2016, Nigerian customs authorities confiscated 2.5 tonnes of rice that was initially believed to be plastic. However, tests revealed that while the rice was not plastic, it did contain high levels of bacteria. This incident highlights the importance of food safety measures and the need for consumers to be vigilant, especially in regions with less stringent food safety infrastructure.
In conclusion, while rumours of plastic rice have persisted for years, there is little evidence to support their validity. The combination of misleading videos, food fraud, and protectionism has likely contributed to the persistence of these myths. It is essential to rely on trusted sources and official statements from food safety authorities when addressing such concerns.
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It could be poorly stored rice
There have been rumours circulating since 2010 about plastic rice being manufactured and mixed with real rice to trick consumers. However, there is little evidence to support these claims, and food fraud experts suggest that the "plastic rice" is likely actual rice that has been poorly stored.
In 2016, Nigerian customs authorities confiscated 2.5 tonnes of rice initially believed to be plastic. Still, the country's health minister later refuted these claims, stating there was no evidence that the rice was plastic. Instead, the rice was found to contain high levels of bacteria.
Similarly, in Ghana, the Food and Drugs Authority investigated rumours of plastic rice and found no evidence to support the claims. The "plastic rice" could be actual rice that has been poorly stored for up to 10 years, becoming contaminated with mould and discoloured. To restore its appearance, fraudsters may have bleached the rice and sprayed it with paraffin wax to give it a shiny surface.
Poorly stored rice can become contaminated with mould, leading to mycotoxin intake, which is detrimental to health. Mycotoxin contamination can cause various symptoms, including vomiting, nausea, abdominal pain, convulsions, and a weakened immune system. Additionally, non-expired rice that is not handled or stored properly can lead to food poisoning from Bacillus cereus.
To prevent food poisoning from poorly stored rice, it is essential to store rice correctly. Dry white rice can be stored at room temperature for up to 2 years, while brown rice should only be stored for up to 6 months due to its higher oil and fat content. Cooked rice should be refrigerated and consumed within 3-4 days or frozen for longer periods. Proper food handling and storage practices can help ensure the safety of rice and prevent foodborne illnesses.
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It's unlikely to be plastic rice chips
It is unlikely that plastic rice exists. Despite online suspicions and rumours circulating since 2010, food safety agencies have found little evidence to support these claims. The myth of plastic rice being sold in Africa and elsewhere has been fuelled by viral videos of bouncing rice balls on social media. However, investigations by food authorities in Ghana and Nigeria have found no evidence of plastic rice being sold in these markets.
The cost of producing plastic rice would likely be more expensive than real rice, making it economically unviable for manufacturers to create plastic rice chips. In addition, food fraud experts suggest that so-called plastic rice could be actual rice that has been poorly stored for up to a decade, causing contamination and discolouration. To restore its appearance, fraudsters may have bleached the rice and sprayed it with paraffin wax, which could explain why some people believe it is made of plastic.
While there have been reports of fake rice scandals in China, these typically involve rice substitutes made from potatoes, sweet potatoes, and synthetic resin rather than pure plastic. These rice substitutes are formed into grains that closely resemble actual rice and are difficult to differentiate. Consuming this type of fake rice can be harmful and toxic to one's health.
It is important to note that consuming plastic or contaminated rice can pose risks to human health. Microplastics have been found in store-bought rice, and while the health impacts are still being studied, exposure to these chemicals can be detrimental. Therefore, it is essential to take precautions when purchasing and consuming rice, such as buying from reputable sources and washing rice before cooking to reduce plastic contamination.
In summary, while the existence of plastic rice chips is unlikely, it is important to remain vigilant and take appropriate measures to ensure the rice we consume is safe and of good quality.
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Fake rice videos are shared online
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. However, the country's health minister later refuted this, stating there was no evidence, although tests showed the rice had high levels of bacteria. In 2016, Indonesian media outlets also claimed that a factory was making fake rice, but they had no evidence to support this allegation.
In 2019, a viral video on Facebook claimed to show how to identify whether food is fake or real using "16 easy tests to try at home". However, this video contained numerous inaccuracies and false claims, and Facebook partnered with fact-checking organisations to address this. Despite little evidence that plastic rice is a widespread problem, rumours persist, particularly in countries dependent on imported rice, and some people deliberately share fake videos to encourage consumers to buy locally grown rice.
While there is little evidence of plastic rice being sold, there have been instances of fraudulent rice being produced. In 2016, it was reported that certain rice factories in China were producing a "fake rice substitute" made from potatoes, sweet potatoes, and synthetic resin (plastic) for greater profit. This rice substitute is sprayed with a fragrance to mimic the smell of real rice. Consuming this "plastic rice" is extremely harmful to one's health. In some cases, poorly stored rice that has been contaminated with mould and bleached to disguise its unpleasant colour may be passed off as fresh rice.
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Plastic rice may contain microplastics
Rumours of "plastic rice" being sold in Africa and elsewhere have been circulating on social media since about 2010. While there is little evidence that it is a widespread problem, several investigations have been carried out to test the validity of these claims.
In 2016, Nigerian customs authorities confiscated 2.5 tonnes of rice, initially claimed to be plastic. However, the country's health minister later refuted these claims, stating that there was no evidence that the rice was plastic. Instead, tests showed that the rice contained a high level of bacteria.
In another incident in Indonesia, a rice porridge vendor from the West Java city of Bekasi claimed to have unknowingly purchased and consumed plastic rice. Samples of the rice, including some cooked by the vendor, were taken for testing by various authorities. Sucofindo, a state-owned certification company, was the first to announce the results, claiming the rice contained traces of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and three types of plasticizers used in its manufacture.
Despite these incidents, it is important to note that the term "plastic rice" may be misleading. According to food fraud experts, it is unlikely that rice is made entirely of plastic. Instead, it could be actual rice that has been poorly stored for up to a decade, becoming contaminated with moulds and losing its typical white colour. Fraudsters may then bleach the rice to restore its colour and spray it with paraffin wax to recreate the shiny surface, making it resemble fresh rice.
While the above incidents did not involve rice made entirely of plastic, it is important to address the potential presence of microplastics in 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 this number increasing to 13 milligrams per serve for instant rice. The study also found that washing rice before cooking reduced plastic contamination by 20 to 40 percent.
The presence of microplastics in rice is a concern due to the potential health hazards associated with plastic exposure. Living organisms can accumulate microplastics in cells and tissues, leading to chronic biological effects such as gastrointestinal disorders, respiratory problems, cancer, infertility, and alteration in chromosomes.
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Frequently asked questions
Plastic rice refers to fake rice that is made from plastic. It is also sometimes used to refer to real rice that has been poorly stored and bleached to make it look fresh.
There is little evidence that plastic rice is a widespread problem. Food safety agencies have yet to find evidence that plastic rice is being manufactured and added to real rice.
Rumours about plastic rice being sold in Africa and Southeast Asia have been circulating since about 2010. There have also been reports of plastic rice being produced in China.
You can test your rice by putting it in water and seeing if it floats. Plastic rice will float, while real rice will sink. You can also check for a thin layer of plastic when you boil or microwave your rice.
Consuming plastic rice is extremely harmful and toxic to one's health. People are consuming three to four milligrams of plastic for every 100 grams of rice they eat, which can cause an element of risk.
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