Sacks of plastic rice seized by Nigeria. (Photo : Nigeria Customs Service)
Nigeria, the most pro-China nation in the world, is coping with a flood of potentially lethal "plastic rice" made in China and currently selling throughout that west African country
Nigerian media reported the confiscation by the Nigerian Customs Service of 2.5 tonnes of plastic rice from China and smuggled into the country by unscrupulous businessmen, probably Chinese and Nigerian. The service said it doesn't know how much of the fake rice has been sold and is launching an investigation.
It said the confiscated plastic rice was branded as "Best Tomato Rice." It reported seizing 102 sacks of plastic rice, each weighing 25 kg.
The customs service in Lagos reported the fake rice to be sold in markets during this holiday season. They government has warned the public against buying or eating plastic rice since this fake grains is dangerous.
It revealed that plastic rice is stickier than real rice when cooked. The plastic rice also emits a strong chemical-like smell when cooked.
The customs service has sent a sample to laboratories to determine what the plastic rice is made of.
Nigeria seized a large shipment of made in China plastic rice last year. The country has banned rice imports as it seeks to boost local production of this staple commodity.
This move has helped lead to skyrocketing rice prices. A 50 kg bag of locally produced rice now sells for some $63, more than double the price in December 2015.
The massive increase in rice prices is causing cheaper imported rice to become more popular.
Plastic rice is overwhelmingly made in China. Plastic rice is normally mixed with real rice to make the fake ice more difficult to detect.
One report said plastic rice is made by mixing potatoes, sweet potatoes and plastic. The potatoes are first formed into the shape of rice grains. Industrial synthetic resins are then added to the mix.
Plastic rice is said to stay hard even after being cooked.
