Alexei Volkov
Rumours of 'plastic rice' have been circulating since 2011, when social media posts alleged that Chinese companies were manufacturing fake rice, made from potatoes, sweet potatoes, and plastic. The rice was said to be exported and consumed by people in other countries, who were unaware that it was not real rice. While authorities have debunked some of these claims, there have been reports of plastic rice being sold in markets in India, Singapore, Indonesia, and Sri Lanka. Plastic rice is made from harmful chemicals, such as phthalates, which can have serious health impacts on consumers. As a result, people have become anxious about the potential presence of plastic rice in their food, and sales of rice dishes have suffered.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Origin | Rumors of plastic rice being manufactured in China and exported to other countries first surfaced in 2010-2011. |
| Composition | Allegedly made from potatoes, sweet potatoes, and plastic, with industrial resin as a binding agent. |
| Health Hazards | Contains harmful chemicals, such as phthalates, which can impact the hormonal and reproductive system. |
| Identification | Methods to identify plastic rice include observing if it forms a thick layer in a container, floating in water, burning it, checking for fungus after a few days, and its reaction in hot oil. |
| Status | The existence of plastic rice is controversial, with some authorities debunking the claims and others confiscating shipments. |
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What You'll Learn
Plastic rice is made from potatoes, sweet potatoes and plastic
The term "plastic rice" refers to fake rice made from plastic and potatoes or sweet potatoes. It is not actually made of plastic, but the name was coined due to its resemblance to plastic. Rumours about plastic rice have been circulating on social media since around 2010, with reports from Singapore, India, Vietnam, and China. These rumours were prompted by "fake rice" scandals, where companies passed off ordinary rice as premium "Wuchang" grains. In some cases, rice was found to be adulterated with industrial sticky resin, which is harmful if consumed. These scandals sparked concerns about food safety and trust in foreign imports.
While there have been reports of plastic being sold as rice, these claims have largely been debunked. Videos showing people bouncing rice balls, for example, can be explained by the natural characteristics of rice, which can become bouncy when prepared in a certain way. However, it is important to note that artificial rice or synthetic rice does exist and is made with corn maize, potato starch, or expired grains of rice. This type of rice is artificially shaped and does not grow like natural rice.
The process of making plastic rice, as described in some reports, involves mixing potatoes, sweet potatoes, and plastic. The potatoes are formed into rice grain shapes, and then industrial synthetic resins are added. This rice reportedly stays hard even after cooking. The motivation behind producing fake rice is likely financial, as it is cheaper to produce than real rice.
The potential health risks of consuming plastic rice are significant. A Chinese Restaurant Association official warned that eating three bowls of such fake rice would be equivalent to consuming a plastic bag. This statement underscores the seriousness of the issue and the potential harm it can cause to unsuspecting consumers.
While there have been reports of plastic rice seizures, these incidents appear to be isolated. For example, in 2016, Nigerian authorities confiscated suspected plastic rice, but the Nigerian Federal Ministry of Health refuted the claims, stating there was no evidence of plastic rice circulating in the country. The term "plastic rice" has also been used to describe rice that has been adulterated or mixed with other substances, but not necessarily made entirely of plastic.
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It is cheaper to produce than real rice
The term 'plastic rice' first surfaced in China in 2010. Social media rumours asserted that Chinese companies were manufacturing plastic rice, exporting it, and that people in other countries were consuming it unknowingly. The rice was purportedly made by mixing potatoes, sweet potatoes, and plastic, with an "industrial resin" as a binding agent. This rice was cheaper to produce than real rice, and the motivation behind the scheme was money.
In 2011, a report by The Korea Times stated: "Some distributors are selling fake rice... and this rice is a mixture of potatoes, sweet potatoes and plastic." The report detailed the hazards of consuming synthetic resin. A Chinese Restaurant Association official commented that eating three bowls of this fake rice would be like eating one plastic bag.
In 2017, a local journalist for Telangana claimed that he was served Biryani made with plastic rice by a hotel in Saroornagar, leading to numerous similar allegations across India. The problem was not just restricted to India, with reports of plastic rice also in Singapore, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, and Nigeria.
There are several methods to identify plastic rice. One is to observe the rice; if it forms a thick layer at the top of the container, it may be plastic. Another is to boil the rice and leave it for several days; if no fungus or mould grows on it, it could be plastic. A third method is to burn the rice; if it smells like plastic, it may be fake.
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It is harmful to humans
Since 2010, rumours have circulated on social media that plastic rice is being manufactured and mixed with real rice supplies. The rumours were originally prompted by "fake rice" scandals, although they didn't involve food made entirely of plastic. In one case, companies were passing 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. However, food safety agencies have yet to find evidence that supports these claims.
University of Queensland research has found that humans are consuming three to four milligrams of plastic for every 100 grams of rice, with this number jumping up to 13 milligrams per serve for instant rice. The main types of microplastics found in rice are polyethylene and polyethylene terephthalate, followed by polypropylene and polyamide. While the health effects of consuming microplastics are still being studied, research suggests that they can accumulate in the body and trigger an immune response, potentially leading to cell damage, allergic reactions, endocrine disruption, carcinogenesis, mobility issues, and reproductive and development issues.
In response to the rumours, authorities in various countries have conducted tests on suspected plastic rice samples. In Nigeria, for example, customs officials initially claimed that 2.5 tonnes of confiscated rice were plastic, but later backtracked when the country's health minister said there was no evidence for the claims. Tests showed that the rice did contain a high level of bacteria, but not plastic. Similarly, in India, the Telangana Food and Civil Supplies Department conducted tests on suspected plastic rice, and authorities in Hyderabad found no signs of tampering.
While there is no conclusive evidence of large-scale plastic rice contamination, the rumours have persisted and continue to cause concern among consumers. The persistence of the rumours may be due to protectionism and a distrust of foreign imports, especially in countries highly dependent on imported rice. Some people may also be deliberately spreading fake videos to encourage consumers to buy locally grown rice.
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It is difficult to identify
Since 2011, rumours have been circulating on social media that plastic rice is being manufactured in China and exported to other countries. However, it is difficult to identify this alleged plastic rice, as the following examples demonstrate:
- A video went viral on social media showing a group of young people opening a packet of rice, clumping it together, and then bouncing it on a table. They claimed that the rice was 'plastic' rice because it bounced. However, this claim was debunked by authorities, who stated that cooked rice can become paste-like, and when formed into a ball and dropped, it will bounce a little.
- In another instance, a local journalist in Telangana claimed that a hotel in Saroornagar served them Biryani made with plastic rice. However, the Telangana Food and Civil Supplies Department conducted tests on suspected 'plastic' rice and found no evidence to support these claims.
- In 2016, Sucofindo, a state-owned certification company in Indonesia, tested samples of rice and found traces of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and plasticizers. However, they did not state the percentages of synthetic materials found, making it difficult to determine the extent of the contamination.
- A simple method to identify plastic rice is to place some rice in a glass of water and observe whether it floats. Floating rice may indicate the presence of plastic. However, this method may not always be accurate, as some types of natural rice can also float in water.
- Another suggested method is to burn the rice with a matchbox and smell for a plastic odour. However, this method may not always work, as some types of plastic may not have a noticeable smell, or the burning rice may produce other odours that obscure the plastic scent.
While these methods can provide some indication of potential plastic rice, they are not always conclusive, and it can be challenging to definitively identify plastic rice without specialised equipment and laboratory testing.
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It has been debunked as a hoax
Rumours of plastic rice being sold in Africa and elsewhere have circulated on social media since around 2010. Viral videos showing bouncing rice balls have fuelled these rumours, along with reports of fake rice scandals in China. However, the plastic rice phenomenon has been widely debunked as a hoax.
In 2017, the Ghana Food and Drugs Authority investigated claims of plastic rice being sold in Ghana, inviting consumers and traders to submit samples of suspected brands. The investigation concluded that no plastic rice was being sold on the Ghanaian market. Similarly, in 2016, Nigerian customs authorities initially claimed to have confiscated 2.5 tonnes of plastic rice, but later backtracked when the country's health minister stated there was no evidence to support these claims.
The persistence of the plastic rice hoax has been attributed to various factors. Alexandre Capron, a journalist from France 24's The Observers, suggests that protectionism and a distrust of foreign imports may be contributing factors, particularly in countries highly dependent on imported rice. Alexander Waugh, director of the UK-based Rice Association, acknowledges the authenticity of the videos but attributes the bouncing rice balls to the natural characteristics of rice, which can become bouncy when prepared in a certain way.
Furthermore, the feasibility of producing plastic rice has been questioned. Dr Dono, an expert from Universitas Gadjah Mada, explains that plastic polymers only transform into hot plastic when heated or steamed. They do not expand or transform into cooked rice. In addition, the cost of producing plastic rice chips would likely be more expensive than real rice, making it economically unviable.
While there may be instances of rice adulteration or contamination, as seen in the case of Dewi's porridge shop in Indonesia, the existence of large-scale plastic rice production and distribution has not been substantiated. Authorities and experts have repeatedly debunked the claims, and rigorous food testing procedures are in place to ensure the safety and authenticity of rice in the market.
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