First there were artificial eggs from China and now plastic rice said to be exported to several Asian nations.
Social media platforms such as WhatsApp and Facebook have been circulating the news of the fake rice that has now believed to have entered Singapore.
Plastic rice sold on the Chinese market has reportedly found its way into various Asian countries, including India, Indonesia and Vietnam.
Consumers say that such rice is also found in many prominent brands. Many reported to have caused gastritis and other stomach related diseases after its consumption. Consumers say that these kind of rice is undetectable because its comes mixed with normal rice packs.
Health experts have warned that consuming such fake grains, laced with poisonous resin, could seriously damage the digestive system.
The fake rice is made by mixing potatoes, sweet potatoes and synthetic resin, according to the International Business Times. It’s long been circulating on the market in Taiyuan, Shaanxi and appears identical to natural rice.
The Malaysian Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Ministry likewise denied receiving any reports about the resin-laced grains, but said if it were to have gotten into Malaysia, it would most likely be sold at small shops rather than large supermarkets.
So how can you avoid consuming plastic-tainted rice?
Plastic rice made by mixing potatoes, sweet potatoes and Chinese polymer is similar to natural rice and can hardly be differentiated by mere look. However, when cooked, the rice remains hard and soup made by it forms a plastic sheath, which burns like plastics when burned.
Sources: http://hindi.sputniknews.com/vishv/20150522/1014550110.html#ixzz3aqkOlcN5
http://health.info4.in/2015/05/beware-of-fake-rice-made-of-plastic.html
https://munchies.vice.com/articles/is-fake-rice-actually-circulating-throughout-asia