Omar Khalid
Rumours of plastic rice have been circulating on social media since around 2010, with videos showing people bouncing rice balls and claims that rice is being manufactured and mixed with real rice to trick consumers. While there is little evidence that this is a widespread problem, it has sparked investigations by food authorities in various countries. These investigations have generally found that while the rice may be of poor quality or contaminated with bacteria, it is not made of plastic. However, a recent study by the University of Queensland found that people may be consuming 3 to 4 milligrams of plastic per 100 grams of rice, with instant rice containing up to 13 milligrams per serve. This study highlights the importance of understanding the quantity of microplastics we could be consuming through staple foods like rice.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Plastic content in instant rice | 13 milligrams per 100-gram serve |
| Plastic content in uncooked rice | 3-4 milligrams per 100-gram serve |
| Effect of washing rice | Reduces plastic contamination by 20-40% |
| Plastic types tested | Polyethylene, plastics used in clothing and food production, laminates, technical engineering plastics, polystyrene, acrylics, and tube piping |
| Plastic rice rumours | Driven by viral videos of bouncing rice balls, particularly in Africa |
| Plastic rice origin | Rumours traced back to China, as early as 2010 |
| Plastic rice investigations | Ghana Food and Drugs Authority, Nigerian Customs Service, and others found no evidence of plastic rice |
| Plastic rice alternatives | Poorly stored rice treated with paraffin wax to improve appearance, artificial rice made from broken rice and fortified with vitamins and minerals |
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What You'll Learn
Plastic rice in Africa
Rumours of "plastic rice" being sold in Africa have been circulating on social media since 2016, with videos showing people bouncing rice balls and demonstrating how the rice is made in factories. In response to these rumours, the Ghana Food and Drugs Authority conducted an investigation, inviting consumers and traders to submit samples of any rice brands they suspected of being made of plastic. The investigation concluded that there was no plastic rice being sold on the Ghanaian market. Similar investigations were also carried out in Nigeria, where 2.5 tonnes of rice suspected to be made of plastic were confiscated by customs officials. However, the country's health minister later stated that there was no evidence to support the claims, although tests showed that the rice contained a high level of bacteria.
Despite the lack of widespread evidence, the rumours of plastic rice have persisted, particularly in countries highly dependent on imported rice, such as Ivory Coast and Senegal. These rumours have been fuelled by videos on social media, which may be authentic but do not necessarily indicate the presence of plastic. According to Alexander Waugh, director of the Rice Association, rice, when prepared correctly, can bounce. Nevertheless, the rumours have prompted food safety authorities in West Africa to address the concerns directly, with the aim of reassuring the public that the rumours are false.
While there may not be rice made entirely of plastic, there are still concerns about plastic contamination in rice. Research by the University of Queensland found that people are consuming three to four milligrams of plastic for every 100 grams of rice, with instant rice containing four times more plastic than uncooked rice, averaging 13 milligrams per serve. The researchers tested for seven different types of plastics, including polyethylene, plastics used in food production, and polystyrene. Importantly, they also found that washing rice before cooking can reduce plastic contamination by 20 to 40 per cent.
The issue of plastic rice in Africa highlights the importance of food safety and the need for robust infrastructure to detect and prevent food fraud. While there may not be rice made entirely of plastic, the presence of plastic contaminants in rice and other foodstuffs remains a concern that requires further investigation and action to ensure the safety of consumers.
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Plastic rice in Asia
Rumours of plastic rice being sold in Asia and elsewhere have been circulating on social media since around 2010. While there is little evidence that it is a widespread problem, the idea of plastic rice has persisted, fuelled by videos showing people bouncing rice balls. These videos may be authentic, but, as Alexander Waugh, director of the Rice Association, explains, rice can bounce due to its natural characteristics.
In 2016, it was reported that plastic rice laced with poisonous resin had reached several Asian nations, including India, Indonesia, and Vietnam. The fake rice was said to be made from potatoes, sweet potatoes, and synthetic resin, moulded into the shape of real rice. However, these reports were never substantiated by national authorities. For example, Singapore's Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority (AVA) stated that their routine surveillance and testing of imported rice had shown no evidence of plastic rice. Similarly, the Malaysian Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Ministry said it had not received any reports of fake rice.
In 2019, food fraud expert Chris Elliott of Queen's University Belfast stated that reports of plastic rice were likely incorrect. According to Elliott, plastic is more expensive than rice, so it would not make economic sense to make rice from plastic. Instead, he suggested that the so-called plastic rice could be actual rice that had been poorly stored for up to a decade. This rice would have become contaminated with moulds, turning it from its nice white colour to an unpleasant green. Fraudsters, Elliott explained, would bleach the rice to restore its white colour, but this removed its shiny surface, so they sprayed it with paraffin wax. This coating meant that the rice did not cook properly, leading to it being called plastic rice.
While the existence of plastic rice in Asia remains unproven, there is evidence that people are consuming microplastics in their rice. A 2021 study by the University of Queensland found that people were 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.
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Plastic rice in Nigeria
Rumours of "plastic rice" being sold in Nigeria and other African countries have been circulating on social media since about 2016, driven by viral videos showing bouncing rice balls. In December 2016, the Nigerian customs authorities confiscated 2.5 tonnes of suspected plastic rice smuggled into the country by unscrupulous businessmen. The fake rice, branded as "Best Tomato Rice", was intended to be sold in markets during the festive season. Lagos customs chief Haruna Mamudu described the rice as very sticky after boiling and warned of potential health risks if consumed.
However, the health ministry later released a statement urging Nigerians to remain calm as preliminary findings showed no evidence that the rice was plastic or contained toxic chemical substances. The rumours of plastic rice in Nigeria remain largely unsubstantiated, with tests failing to provide conclusive evidence. Nevertheless, the persistence of these rumours highlights the concerns surrounding food safety and the vulnerability of Nigerians to the counterfeit food industry due to the high cost of rice and the porous nature of the country's borders.
While there may not be widespread circulation of plastic rice in Nigeria, the country has faced issues with fake or adulterated food products. In particular, the presence of high levels of bacteria in confiscated rice samples indicates a lack of proper storage and handling practices. This situation underscores the importance of robust food safety regulations and enforcement in Nigeria to protect the health and well-being of its citizens.
It is worth noting that the term "plastic rice" may not always refer to rice made entirely of plastic. In some cases, it may refer to rice that has been poorly stored for extended periods, resulting in mould contamination. To restore its appearance, the rice may be bleached and coated with substances like paraffin wax, which can affect its cooking properties and lead to it being labelled as "plastic rice".
To address the concerns around plastic rice and ensure food safety, Nigerian authorities have taken steps to confiscate and investigate suspected fake rice. Additionally, raising awareness about the potential risks of consuming such products and promoting informed purchasing decisions can help mitigate the impact of counterfeit food products in the market.
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Plastic rice in Ghana
Rumours of "plastic rice" being sold in Ghana emerged in 2017, with some reports alleging that the product was manufactured in Vietnam and/or China. These reports were fuelled by viral videos on social media, which showed people bouncing rice balls, and purported to show how the rice was made in factories. However, despite the Ghana Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) carrying out an investigation, no plastic rice was found to be sold on the Ghanaian market.
The FDA explained that the textural properties of rice allow cooked moulded rice to bounce when hit on hard surfaces. Food safety experts also noted that plastic rice grains should be easily detectable after cooking. Furthermore, it has been pointed out that plastic is more expensive than rice, so it would not make economic sense to manufacture rice from plastic. Instead, one food fraud expert suggested that "plastic rice" is likely poorly stored rice that has been treated with bleach and coated with paraffin wax to restore its appearance.
While the existence of plastic rice in Ghana has not been proven, food safety authorities in the country are taking the rumours seriously. The FDA has called on Ghanaians to be alert and report any food items that they suspect may be contaminated with plastic. Dr Ben Nuako, a clinical nutritionist, has also called on the Ghana Standards Authority to increase security at ports to prevent the alleged importation of plastic rice and to maintain checks on the quality of rice consumed by Ghanaians.
The persistence of the plastic rice rumours in Ghana and other countries has been attributed to a combination of factors, including protectionism and a distrust of foreign imports, as well as the sharing of fake videos by individuals with a vested interest in promoting locally grown rice. While it is important to remain vigilant and report any suspected instances of food fraud, it is also crucial to rely on official sources and scientific investigations to separate fact from fiction and prevent the spread of unnecessary public fear and panic.
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Microplastics in instant rice
While there have been rumours and reports of "plastic rice" being sold in Africa, Asia, and elsewhere, investigations by various authorities have generally found these claims to be unfounded. For example, the Ghana Food and Drugs Authority, the Nigerian health ministry, and the Government Laboratory in Hong Kong all concluded that the suspected "plastic" rice samples they tested were indeed genuine rice.
However, it is important to distinguish these reports of "plastic rice" from the issue of microplastics in rice, which has been a subject of recent research. A study by the University of Queensland found that people may be consuming three to four milligrams of plastic for every 100 grams of rice, with the levels of microplastics in instant rice being four times higher than in uncooked rice, averaging 13 milligrams per serve.
The researchers tested for seven different types of plastics, including polyethylene, plastics used in clothing and food production, laminates, technical engineering plastics, polystyrene, acrylics, and tube piping. They also found that washing rice before cooking can reduce plastic contamination by 20 to 40 percent.
While the health effects of consuming microplastics are still not fully understood, Dr. Jake O'Brien, the lead author of the University of Queensland study, emphasised that "it is important to recognise that we are in the early stages of developing methods to measure plastic contamination of foods, and at the moment, we are limited to only a few plastic types."
In conclusion, while there is no widespread evidence of "plastic rice" being sold, the presence of microplastics in rice, particularly instant rice, is a cause for concern and further research. Consumers can take some steps to reduce their exposure, such as washing rice before cooking, but further efforts are needed to reduce contamination and increase community awareness.
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Frequently asked questions
No, there is no evidence that any rice brands contain plastic. However, there have been rumours and seizures of suspected plastic rice in Africa, particularly in Nigeria, Senegal, The Gambia, and Ghana.
The Ghana Food and Drugs Authority, the Nigerian health ministry, and the Government Laboratory in Hong Kong all concluded that the suspected rice samples were indeed rice and did not contain plastic.
The rumours of plastic rice are often fuelled by viral videos on social media that show people bouncing rice balls or demonstrating how the rice is made in factories. However, rice experts have stated that rice, when prepared correctly, can also bounce due to its natural carbohydrates and proteins.
While there is no evidence of plastic rice, consuming plastic can potentially lead to medical emergencies and toxic pathologies. It is important to obtain rice from reliable suppliers to ensure its authenticity and safety.
Yes, artificial rice or fortified rice is a grain product made to resemble rice. It is often made from broken rice and fortified with vitamins and minerals such as vitamin A, vitamin B, iron, and zinc. Examples include NutriRice and Ultra Rice. However, it is important to note that these products are not direct substitutes for natural rice and may have different nutritional profiles.
