Maya Ellison
Rumours of plastic rice being sold in Africa and China have been circulating since 2010, with viral videos showing people bouncing rice balls fuelling speculation. However, food safety agencies have found little evidence to support these claims. Plastic rice is likely more expensive to manufacture than real rice, and consumers can test their rice by checking if it sinks in water or releases a plastic smell when heated.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Appearance | Plastic rice looks similar to normal rice. |
| Consistency | Plastic rice holds its shape and bounces when rolled into a ball. |
| Smell | Plastic rice releases a plastic smell when heated. |
| Float Test | Plastic rice floats in water, whereas real rice sinks. |
| Fire Test | When burned, plastic rice smells like charred wood or formaldehyde. |
| Fungus Test | Plastic rice does not form mold or fungus when boiled and stored for several days. |
| Taste | Plastic rice would presumably taste like plastic, although there are no confirmed cases of consumption. |
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What You'll Learn
Plastic rice detection methods
Although there is no evidence that plastic rice is being manufactured and sold as real rice, here are some methods to detect plastic rice:
Water Test
Place the suspected plastic rice in a bowl of water. If the rice is plastic, it will float to the surface. Real rice is denser and will sink to the bottom.
Flame Test
Burn a sample of the rice. Genuine rice will produce a characteristic odour when burned, whereas plastic rice may melt or emit unnatural, plastic-like smells.
Boiling Test
Boil a few grains of the suspected plastic rice. Real rice will remain unchanged, whereas plastic rice will melt, revealing its artificial composition.
Microscopy
Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) can be used to analyse the surface morphology of rice grains, allowing for the identification of plastic rice.
Spectroscopy
Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) is a technique that can be used to compare the compositional properties of fake and real rice, helping to identify plastic rice.
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Plastic rice origins
The term 'plastic rice' first surfaced in China in 2010, although there are no confirmed cases of large amounts of plastic chips being passed off as rice. In fact, plastic rice is manufactured for use in shipping boxes, and the cost of the chips would likely be more expensive than real rice. However, this hasn't stopped the spread of viral videos and rumours about plastic rice, particularly in Africa and Asia.
In 2011, The Korea Times reported that distributors in Taiyuan, Shaanxi Province, were selling fake rice made from potatoes, sweet potatoes, and plastic. This was followed by a report on a Vietnamese website claiming that Chinese authorities had confiscated rice made from a similar mixture. While these reports were never corroborated, they fuelled the spread of rumours, particularly on social media, about the presence of plastic in food items like rice.
In December 2016, the Nigerian Customs Service intercepted 2.5 tons of rice that was rumoured to be plastic. The country's health minister later backtracked, saying there was no evidence of plastic in the rice, although small amounts of plastic residue were found in the middle of the bags. Similar reports emerged in several other African countries, including Senegal, Burkina Faso, Ivory Coast, and the Comoros, leading to official investigations and statements from health ministers assuring the public that the rumours were false.
Despite the lack of evidence, the rumours of plastic rice have persisted, with some people deliberately sharing fake videos to encourage consumers to buy locally grown rice. The spread of these rumours has been attributed to protectionism and a distrust of foreign imports, particularly in countries highly dependent on imported rice. While there may be no credible evidence of plastic rice, the concerns about food safety and the presence of contaminants in rice highlight the importance of proper storage and food safety measures, especially in regions with less developed infrastructure for detecting food fraud.
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Artificial rice
One example of artificial rice is NutriRice, which is a type of recomposed fortified rice. NutriRice utilizes hot extrusion technology to fortify rice with multiple micronutrients, such as vitamin A, vitamin B, iron, and zinc. This process not only addresses hidden hunger but also meets the challenge of implementing rice fortification. The production of NutriRice offers a unique possibility to efficiently fortify rice while maintaining its visual appearance and cooked texture.
Another notable artificial rice variety is Ultra Rice, developed by Dr. James P. Cox and his wife, Jeanne, over two decades in Canada. Ultra Rice was first introduced to the market in 2005, and studies have shown that it can help address vitamin A deficiencies, improving night vision in pregnant women.
It is important to distinguish artificial rice, which is designed to provide nutritional benefits, from the concept of "plastic rice" that has been the subject of rumours and controversy. Despite viral videos and reports, food safety agencies have found little evidence of plastic rice being sold as a widespread problem. The rumours originated in China and Africa, with claims that rice was made from plastic or a mixture of potatoes and synthetic resin. However, it is important to note that plastic is more expensive than rice, making it economically unlikely for it to be used in this way.
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NutriRice
Since 2010, rumours have circulated online and on social media about plastic rice being passed off as real rice. However, food safety agencies have found little evidence to support these claims. In fact, plastic is more expensive than rice, so it would cost more for companies to manufacture rice from plastic.
Nevertheless, there are some ways to test your rice for plastic. One method is to pour rice into a bowl of water. Real rice will sink to the bottom, whereas plastic rice will float. Another test involves scooping a tablespoon of rice and burning it with a lighter. If it's plastic, it will smell like charred wood or formaldehyde.
While there is little evidence of plastic rice being sold, artificial rice is a real product. Artificial rice is a grain product made to look like rice, usually from broken rice and sometimes with other cereals. It is often fortified with vitamins and minerals, such as vitamin A, vitamin B, iron, and zinc. One example of artificial rice is NutriRice, which is a type of recomposed fortified rice made using hot extrusion technology. This process allows for the efficient fortification of rice with multiple micronutrients, resulting in a product that closely resembles natural rice after cooking.
Another example of artificial rice is Ultra Rice, which was developed over 20 years by Dr. James P. Cox and his wife Jeanne. Ultra Rice was first made available in 2005, and studies have shown that it can improve night vision in those who are deficient in vitamin A. Overall, while there is likely no need to worry about plastic rice, artificial rice products like NutriRice and Ultra Rice offer a novel way to address nutritional deficiencies.
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The myth of plastic rice
Rumours of plastic rice being sold in Africa and China have been circulating since 2010, with viral videos of 'bouncing rice balls' and claims that eating three bowls of this fake rice is the equivalent of eating a plastic bag. Food safety agencies, however, have found little evidence to support these claims.
The plastic rice rumour likely originated in China, with reports of fake rice made from potatoes, sweet potatoes, and plastic. The potatoes are formed into rice-shaped grains, and industrial resins are added to the mix. This rice is said to stay hard even after cooking. However, it's important to note that plastic is more expensive than rice, so it would cost more for companies to manufacture plastic rice.
The rumours spread to Africa, with reports of plastic rice being sold in Senegal, The Gambia, Ghana, and Nigeria. In 2016, Nigerian customs authorities confiscated 2.5 tonnes of rice initially believed to be plastic. However, the country's health minister later stated that there was no evidence of plastic rice, although the rice did contain high levels of bacteria.
While there may be no widespread problem of plastic rice, studies have shown that people consume 3 to 4 mg of plastic for every 100 g of rice, with higher amounts in instant or pre-cooked rice. Washing rice can reduce plastic contamination by 20 to 40%.
To identify potential plastic rice, you can perform a water test by pouring rice into a bowl of water. Real rice will sink, while plastic rice will float. You can also try the fire test by burning a scoop of rice with a lighter. If it's plastic, it will smell like charred wood or formaldehyde.
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Frequently asked questions
There are several ways to identify plastic rice. One is the water test, where real rice sinks to the bottom and plastic rice floats. Another is the fire test, where burning the rice will produce a smell similar to charred wood or formaldehyde if it is plastic. You can also check for a thin layer of plastic residue when boiling or microwaving the rice.
Plastic rice is made to resemble real rice, with similar size and shape. However, some people claim that it can be identified by its thicker appearance.
The plastic rice rumour originated in China around 2010, with reports of fake rice made from potatoes, sweet potatoes, and plastic. Viral videos of 'bouncing rice balls' and social media posts claiming rice that bounced, burned with a plastic smell, or didn't cook normally fuelled the rumours.
