Rice is among the three leading food crops of the world, with corn and and wheat being the other two. All three directly provide roughly 42% of the world’s required caloric intake and, in 2009, human consumption was responsible for 78% of the total usage of produced rice. Rice is the staple food for more than 3.5 billion of the world’s population, which translates to at least 50% of the people on earth.
One of the largest rice producing countries in the world is China, with more than 200 tons of rice annually. Recently Chinese rice exporters came under fire due to reports that their product is extremely harmful due to containing plastic content.
The report, published in the Korean times, indicated that some Chinese rice companies sell fake rice made out of plastic and potato starch, steamed with rice aroma. This rice is then mixed with the organic one to mislead the customers.
The source claims that an investigation into the accusations confirmed the findings, with doctors warning that just 3 portions of the fake rice can contain more plastic than a little plastic bag.
Though, according to an article published by BBC.com, the myth of plastic rice is just that, a myth.
In the article, bbc acknowledges that the rumors of “plastic” rice being sold in Africa and elsewhere went viral on social media – driven in particular by videos which show bouncing rice balls. But, claim the rumors were dubunked when the Ghana Food and Drugs Authority carried out an investigation asking consumers and traders to submit samples of any rice brands they suspected of being made of plastic – and eventually concluded that there was no plastic rice being sold on the Ghanaian market.
The article goes on to say that the videos showcasing bouncy rice are probably, in fact, real rice. Alexander Waugh, director of the Rice Association, a UK-based industry group, says the videos may be authentic – but not because the grains are plastic. Rice – when prepared in the right way – can actually bounce, Waugh told BBC Trending radio.
“The natural characteristics of rice are carbohydrates and proteins and you can do something like that with rice,” Waugh says.
If you’re still apprehensive and believe there’s some merit to the accusations, here are 4 ways to determine if your rice is real.
Test 1: Water
Pour a tablespoon of the rice in a glass full of water. If the rice falls to the bottom, it is organic.
Test 2: Fire
Light a few rice kernels, and if they do not burn, they are organic. While the opposite case will indicate that the rice is fake.
Test 3: Mortar and pestle
Crush several rice grains, and if organic, the rice will become a white powder, and if you notice yellow stains, it is artificial.
Test 4: Mold
Cook some rice in water and transfer it to a plastic container. Leave it in a sunny spot for a few days, and if you notice mold afterward, it is organic
What do you think of this? Have you ever suspected that you’ve consumed rice tainted with plastic? Let us know in the comments, and share this article with your friends and family by clicking the button below to spread the word!
Source:
Worldatlas.com
Educationofsoul.com
BBC.com