Omar Khalid
Rumours of plastic rice being sold in Africa and elsewhere have circulated on social media since around 2010, driven by viral videos showing bouncing rice balls. While food safety agencies have found no evidence of plastic rice, University of Queensland research reveals that humans consume 3-4 milligrams of plastic per 100 grams of rice, with this number increasing to 13 milligrams for instant rice. This contamination may be caused by the use of paraffin wax to restore the shine of poorly stored rice.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Plastic rice existence | No evidence of plastic rice being manufactured and added to real rice |
| Plastic rice consumption | People are consuming 3-4 milligrams of plastic for every 100 grams of rice |
| Plastic content in instant rice | 13 milligrams per 100 grams of instant rice |
| Plastic rice identification | Real rice sinks in water, plastic rice floats |
| Plastic rice smell | Plastic rice releases a plastic smell when heated |
| Plastic rice reaction to heat | Rice made of plastic would shrivel or shrink when exposed to excess heat |
| Plastic rice cost | Plastic is more expensive than rice |
| Plastic rice in Africa | Plastic rice was intercepted in Nigeria and Ghana, but no evidence of plastic rice was found |
| Plastic rice in China | Rumors of plastic rice started in China in 2010 |
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What You'll Learn
Plastic rice is not real, but rice can be contaminated with plastic
Despite rumours circulating online since 2010, there is no evidence that plastic rice is being manufactured and added to real rice. Food safety agencies have not found any evidence to support these claims. Plastic rice is, in fact, made for use in shipping boxes, and the cost of producing plastic rice would be more expensive than real rice.
However, rice can be contaminated with plastic. According to University of Queensland research, people are consuming three to four milligrams of plastic for every 100 grams of rice, with this number jumping to 13 milligrams per serving for instant rice. The study also found that washing rice before cooking reduced plastic contamination by 20 to 40%. The main types of microplastics found in rice are polyethylene and polyethylene terephthalate, followed by polypropylene and polyamide.
The presence of microplastics in rice is a cause for concern as rice is a staple food worldwide. While the health effects of consuming microplastics are still being studied, exposure to these chemicals can cause an element of risk. Research suggests that microplastics 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.
The rumours of plastic rice may be fuelled by deliberate misinformation campaigns aimed at encouraging consumers to buy locally grown rice. In some cases, ordinary but edible rice was passed off as premium "Wuchang" grains, and in 2011, reports emerged of rice being produced with potatoes and industrial sticky resin. While these incidents do not involve plastic rice, they contribute to the perception that rice supplies may be tainted or adulterated.
It is important to note that the natural characteristics of rice, when prepared in a certain way, can cause it to bounce, as demonstrated in some videos claiming to show plastic rice.
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Plastic rice rumours originated in China in 2010
The term "plastic rice" refers to the idea that rice is being manufactured with plastic as an ingredient, and sold to unsuspecting consumers. The rumours of plastic rice gained traction on social media, with videos circulating that showed people bouncing rice balls, and purported to show how the rice was made in factories. These rumours first originated in China in 2010, when Chinese rice manufacturers added flavouring to ordinary rice and passed it off as Wuchang rice, China's premium rice variety.
The rumours of plastic rice being manufactured in China and exported to other countries began to spread in 2011. Various reports in Singaporean media alleged that Chinese companies were mass-producing fake rice made partly from plastic. An article in 'Very Vietnam' claimed that some Chinese food producers were creating synthetic rice out of potatoes, sweet potatoes, and plastic. The rice was made by mixing the potato material, shaping it into grains, and then adding an industrial resin as a binding agent. These resins can be harmful if consumed.
The obvious motivation behind this scheme was financial gain, as synthetic rice is cheaper to produce. However, it is worth noting that some have argued that producing plastic rice would likely be more expensive than producing real rice. The rumours were also fuelled by protectionism and a distrust of foreign imports, particularly in countries dependent on imported rice, such as Ivory Coast and Senegal.
Despite the widespread panic, there has been little evidence that plastic rice is a significant problem. Investigations by food safety authorities in Ghana, India, and Nigeria have failed to find any plastic rice being sold in their markets. While there have been no confirmed cases of large amounts of plastic chips being passed off as rice, it is important to note that the consumption of microplastics in rice is a real concern. Research by the University of Queensland found that humans consume three to four milligrams of plastic for every 100 grams of rice, with this number increasing to 13 milligrams for instant rice.
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Plastic rice is cheaper to produce than real rice
Plastic rice is a misnomer. It does not refer to rice made of plastic but rather to rice that has been poorly stored for long periods, sometimes up to a decade. The rice is bleached, causing it to lose its shiny surface, and then sprayed with paraffin wax to restore its appearance. However, this affects its cooking properties, leading to its moniker of "plastic rice".
Artificial rice is a grain product made to resemble rice. It is usually made from broken rice, sometimes with other cereals, and is fortified with micronutrients such as iron, zinc, vitamin A, and vitamin B. This process is known as hot extrusion, where rice flour and micronutrients are transformed into pellets that resemble natural rice. This method protects the vitamins and minerals from being removed during the traditional soaking and rinsing of rice with water prior to cooking.
Artificial rice is not the same as "plastic rice", and in fact, artificial rice was developed to address malnutrition and increase the nutritional status of consumers. Ultra Rice, for example, was created by Dr. James P. Cox and his wife Jeanne over a period of 20 years. Their process was more expensive to execute than the market value of the product, so they transferred their patent to PATH, which was recognized by The Tech Museum of Innovation in 2009 for its use of technology to solve major world problems.
While there have been rumours of plastic rice being sold in Africa and other parts of the world, there is little evidence to support these claims. Investigations by food authorities in Ghana and Nigeria, for example, found no plastic rice being sold on their markets. In fact, producing rice from plastic would likely be more expensive than producing real rice, making it economically unviable.
However, it is important to note that the consumption of microplastics in rice is a real concern. According to research by the University of Queensland, humans 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. Washing rice before cooking can reduce plastic contamination by 20 to 40 percent.
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Plastic rice is made from potatoes, sweet potatoes, and plastic
Plastic rice is a term that came into use following the Wuchang rice scandal in China. Ordinary rice was flavoured and passed off as premium Wuchang rice. Subsequently, rumours began to circulate that rice was being manufactured and mixed with real rice to trick consumers. However, there is little evidence that this is a widespread problem.
The term 'plastic rice' is also used to refer to artificially made rice from corn maize and potato starch. This type of rice is also called plastic rice because it is artificially shaped and does not grow like natural rice. It is important to distinguish between artificial rice and rice made of plastic, as the former is not harmful and can even be beneficial. For example, Ultra Rice was developed to combat malnutrition and successfully raised the pupils' general nutritional status to the average urban level.
Some reports have claimed that Chinese companies are producing fake rice made from potatoes, sweet potatoes, and plastic. The potatoes are shaped into rice grains, and industrial synthetic resins are added to the mix. This rice is cheaper to produce and remains hard even after being cooked. However, there is no evidence that plastic rice has been sold in markets. In 2016, Nigerian authorities seized 2.5 tons of rice suspected to be plastic, but the country's health minister stated that there was no evidence to support these claims.
While there may not be plastic rice in the market, it is important to note that rice can still be contaminated with plastic. According to University of Queensland research, people are consuming three to four milligrams of plastic for every 100 grams of rice, with the number jumping to 13 milligrams for instant rice. Washing rice before cooking can reduce plastic contamination by 20 to 40 percent. The potential health impacts of consuming microplastics are still being studied, but exposure has been linked to an increased risk.
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Food safety agencies have not found evidence of plastic rice
Despite the circulation of rumours about "plastic rice" on social media since 2010, food safety agencies have not found evidence to support these claims. In 2016, Nigerian customs authorities confiscated 2.5 tonnes of rice, initially claiming it was plastic. However, the country's health minister later refuted this, stating there was no evidence the rice was plastic. While the rice was found to contain high levels of bacteria, this is a normal occurrence in real rice.
Similarly, in Ghana, the Ghana Food and Drugs Authority investigated rumours of plastic rice being sold in the country. They invited consumers and traders to submit samples of suspicious rice brands and concluded that no plastic rice was being sold on the Ghanaian market.
Chris Elliott, a professor of food safety and founder of the Institute for Global Food Security at Queen's University Belfast, has also investigated rice fraud and stated that plastic rice rumours are likely incorrect. He noted that plastic is more expensive than rice, making it economically unviable to produce rice from plastic.
While there is little evidence of plastic rice being a widespread problem, it is important to recognise that microplastics are present in rice. University of Queensland research found that humans 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 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 potentially lead to cell damage, allergic reactions, endocrine disruption, and other issues.
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Frequently asked questions
Plastic rice is rice that is made entirely of plastic. It is also used to refer to rice that has been treated with chemicals, or rice that has been stored for a long time and has gone bad. There is little evidence that plastic rice is a widespread problem, but there have been persistent rumours and social media posts about it since around 2010.
To identify plastic rice, you can perform a few simple tests. One is to put the rice in water; real rice will sink to the bottom, while plastic rice will float. Another is to heat the rice; if it releases a plastic smell, it may be plastic rice. You can also add a thin layer of rice to a hot pan of oil—if the grains contract and melt, it is likely plastic rice.
The effects of consuming plastic rice are currently unknown. However, exposure to microplastics is known to pose some risks to human health.
There have been reports of plastic rice being sold in Africa, particularly in West African countries such as Nigeria, Senegal, The Gambia, and Ghana. There have also been reports of Chinese companies producing fake rice made in part of plastic, but this is thought to be targeted at food-exporting countries rather than domestic consumption.
