Ethan Clarke
Rumours of plastic rice have been circulating for years, with viral videos of 'bouncing rice balls' and reports of plastic rice being sold in markets. However, these rumours have largely been debunked by experts, who claim that the rice in question is not made of plastic, but rather contains high levels of non-starch polysaccharides or non-patent carbohydrates, which can make it sticky and cause it to bounce when thrown. While it is unlikely that rice is being made out of plastic, recent studies have found that rice does contain microplastics, with humans consuming three to four milligrams of plastic for every 100 grams of rice, according to University of Queensland research. This contamination may occur during the production or packaging process, and while the health effects of consuming microplastics are still unknown, it is important to reduce contamination and increase community awareness.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Plastic in rice | Myth |
| Reason for the myth | Viral videos of 'bouncing rice balls' |
| Countries where the myth is popular | Ivory Coast, Senegal, Nigeria, Indonesia, China, Thailand |
| Plastic content in 100 grams of rice | 3-4 milligrams |
| Plastic content in instant rice | 13 milligrams |
| Reduction in plastic content by washing rice | 20-40% |
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What You'll Learn
Plastic rice is a myth
The idea of plastic rice has been a topic of concern for many people, especially those in Africa and Southeast Asia, where rice is a staple food. However, the notion of plastic rice being sold in markets is largely considered a myth by experts and authorities.
The myth of plastic rice gained traction in 2016, with reports of plastic rice circulating on social media in Africa. In Nigeria, customs authorities initially claimed they had confiscated 2.5 tonnes of plastic rice. However, these claims were later refuted by the country's health minister, who stated there was no evidence to support the presence of plastic rice. Similar incidents were reported in Indonesia, with videos of compacted rice balls bouncing, leading to concerns about plastic rice. Dr Nanung Danar Dono, an expert from Universitas Gadjah Mada, clarified that these reports were false and explained that if rice were truly made of plastic, it would not expand or transform into cooked rice when steamed. He attributed the bouncing rice balls to high levels of non-starch polysaccharides or non-patent carbohydrates, especially in sticky rice varieties.
The origin of the plastic rice myth can be traced to viral videos and social media posts, which fuelled rumours of plastic rice being sold, particularly in African and Southeast Asian countries. These rumours were further exacerbated by incidents of food adulteration in China, such as the 2008 Chinese milk scandal, where melamine was added to milk and infant formula, causing illnesses and fatalities. While there may be rare instances of synthetic rice being produced, as reported by Snopes in 2016, these instances are not indicative of a widespread issue. The same article also mentions that the World Health Organization's International Network of Food Safety Authorities had found no recent cases of synthetic rice in other countries.
While it is important to remain vigilant about food safety, the available evidence suggests that the fears surrounding plastic rice are largely unfounded. In most cases, the cost of producing plastic rice would be more expensive than real rice, making it unlikely for large-scale production for economic reasons. Additionally, food safety authorities in affected regions, such as West Africa, have actively addressed these rumours and worked to reassure the public that their food supply is safe.
It is worth noting that while plastic rice may be a myth, the presence of microplastics in rice is a legitimate concern. Recent studies by the University of Queensland have found that humans consume approximately 3-4 milligrams of plastic for every 100 grams of rice, with higher levels found in instant rice. These microplastics may pose potential health risks, and further research is needed to understand the full impact of their consumption.
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Plastic rice videos are fake
Several viral videos depicting 'bouncing rice balls' have fuelled rumours of plastic rice being sold in Africa and elsewhere. However, these videos have been debunked as fake and misleading. The videos, published by the company Blossom, owned by First Media, make several false claims, including that rice is mixed with plastic bits to increase manufacturer profit. This claim has been debunked by the New York Times fact-checking site Snopes, among others. While it is true that microplastics are present in rice, there is no evidence to support the claim that plastic rice is being sold to consumers.
In one case, companies were passing off ordinary but edible rice as premium "Wuchang" grains. Then, in 2011, reports emerged that rice was being produced with potatoes and an industrial sticky resin. These rumours were further compounded when a Chinese restaurant association official warned that eating three bowls of "plastic rice" was equivalent to eating one plastic bag. However, there were never any confirmed cases of large amounts of plastic chips being passed off as rice. "Plastic rice" is manufactured for use in shipping boxes, and it is likely that the cost of the chips would be more expensive than real rice.
The persistence of the plastic rice rumour may be due to protectionism and a distrust of foreign imports, particularly in countries dependent on imported rice, such as Ivory Coast and Senegal. Some people may even be deliberately spreading fake videos to encourage consumers to buy more locally grown rice. The rumours have spread so widely that governments and food safety authorities have been compelled to make statements and conduct investigations to reassure the public that the rumours are false.
In one example, the Ghana Food and Drugs Authority invited consumers and traders to submit samples of any rice brands they suspected of being made of plastic. They ultimately concluded that there was no plastic rice being sold on the Ghanaian market. Similarly, the town mayor of Sta. Fe town in Bantayan Island investigated claims that fake rice had sickened six people and found no evidence to support the claims. The National Food Authority also tested the rice samples and found no adverse effects.
While it is important to be aware of food safety issues, it is clear that the claims of plastic rice being sold to consumers are largely based on fake or misleading information.
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Plastic rice health risks
While the existence of "plastic rice" has largely been debunked, there is evidence that plastic contamination in rice does exist. This contamination is thought to occur during industrial processing, with instant (pre-cooked) rice containing four times more plastic than uncooked rice.
According to University of Queensland research, people are consuming 3-4 mg of plastic for every 100 g of rice, with this number rising to 13 mg per serve for instant rice. This equates to an estimated 1 g of plastic consumed per person annually via rice consumption.
The health risks associated with consuming microplastics are not yet fully understood. However, it is known that living organisms can accumulate microplastics in cells and tissues, resulting in potential health hazards for humans, including gastrointestinal disorders, respiratory problems, cancer, infertility, and alteration in chromosomes.
To reduce plastic consumption, it is recommended to wash rice before cooking, as this can reduce plastic contamination by 20-40%. Further research is needed to better understand the health impacts of microplastics and to develop methods to reduce plastic contamination in rice and other food sources.
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Plastic rice in Africa
In recent years, rumours have circulated that plastic is being sold as rice in Africa. In 2016, Nigerian customs authorities confiscated 2.5 tonnes of rice that they claimed was plastic. However, these claims were later refuted by the country's health minister, who stated that there was no evidence of plastic rice. While the rice did not contain plastic, it did have a high level of bacteria, according to Nigeria's National Agency For Food and Drugs.
The rumours of plastic rice in Africa are often fuelled by viral videos on social media, which show bouncing rice balls and people claiming that eating bowls of "plastic rice" is equivalent to consuming plastic bags. These rumours have spread in countries like Senegal, The Gambia, Ghana, and Ivory Coast, which are heavily dependent on imported rice. The prevalence of these rumours has compelled governments and food safety authorities in Africa to address them directly and reassure the public that there is no truth to the claims.
In 2017, the Ghana Food and Drugs Authority investigated the claims by inviting consumers and traders to submit samples of any suspected plastic rice brands. Their investigation concluded that no plastic rice was being sold on the Ghanaian market. Similarly, in Nigeria, samples of the confiscated rice was sent to laboratories to determine its composition, and the public was warned against consuming it until its safety could be confirmed.
While there have been no confirmed cases of large amounts of plastic chips being passed off as rice in Africa, the rumours persist due to the prevalence of fake videos and the reliance of some African countries on imported rice. The concerns about plastic rice highlight the importance of addressing food safety and maintaining transparency in the rice supply chain to ensure the health and well-being of consumers.
It is worth noting that while plastic rice may not be a widespread issue, University of Queensland research has found that people consume three to four milligrams of plastic for every 100 grams of rice, with the 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 per cent.
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Microplastics in rice
Rumours of plastic rice have been circulating for years, with viral videos of 'bouncing rice balls' and reports of plastic rice being sold in Africa and smuggled into Nigeria. However, these rumours have largely been debunked, with no confirmed cases of large amounts of plastic chips being passed off as rice. While it is possible that unscrupulous businesses may mix non-food items with rice to increase bulk, it is unlikely that they would use plastic due to the cost.
Nevertheless, the presence of microplastics in rice is a real concern. According to research by the University of Queensland, people are 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. Dr Jake O'Brien, the lead author of the study, emphasised the importance of understanding the quantity of microplastics consumed through rice, as it is a staple food worldwide.
The sources of plastic contamination in rice are not yet fully understood, and further research is needed to determine the potential health impacts of consuming microplastics. However, Dr O'Brien noted that exposure to microplastics can pose health risks. The University of Queensland research team is developing methods to measure plastic contamination in foods, but they are currently limited to only a few plastic types.
One challenge in addressing the issue of microplastics in rice is detecting and measuring the size and concentration of the plastic particles. The innovative method developed by the University of Queensland research team is based on plastic quantification techniques used in previous studies on plastics in seafood and biosolids. By extracting microplastics from store-bought rice, the researchers were able to quantify the levels of microplastics present. Future studies aim to incorporate measurements of plastic size and concentration to better understand the potential health impacts, which are likely to be dependent on these factors.
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Frequently asked questions
There have been rumours and viral videos of 'plastic rice' circulating online, particularly in African and Southeast Asian countries. However, these claims are largely unfounded, with no confirmed cases of large amounts of plastic chips being passed off as rice.
Viral videos of 'bouncing rice balls' have fuelled the rumour that rice is being made from plastic. People have also reported rice that remained hard even after cooking. However, experts have debunked these claims, stating that if the rice were truly made of plastic, it would not expand or transform into cooked rice when steamed.
While the potential health impacts of consuming plastic rice are unknown, exposure to plastic is likely to pose some risks. Further research is needed to understand the health consequences of consuming plastic-contaminated rice.
According to research by the University of Queensland, people are 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.
Dr Jake O'Brien, the lead author of the University of Queensland research, suggests that washing rice before cooking can reduce plastic contamination by 20 to 40 per cent. Additionally, further research is needed to identify the sources of plastic contamination in rice to implement effective reduction strategies.
