The food and Drug Authority (FDA) has stated in a press release which was issued on the 9th of June, 2022 informing the General Public that the videos on the alleged plastic rice are false and must be ignored. In the release, they stated that the FDA will continue to monitor the quality and safety of the varieties of rice on the market, both local and imported to safeguard public health and safety.
The FDA released this statement after the circulation of several videos on social media claiming the existence of plastic rice in the Ghanian Market, which is of public concern.
“In 2017, the FDA on the basis of these videos investigated the claims and issued a press statement denying the existence of Plastic rice. “They stated.
Through their investigations and through their nationwide market surveillance activities, the authority obtained random samples and subsequently requested members of the public to assist them by either submitting samples of the alleged plastic rice or giving them information about where they could be found.
NOTE: “it is important to note that, the physical and chemical properties of plastics are such that they cannot be cooked into edible foods. This is because plastic cannot absorb water and does not mix with water.” – FDA
IMPORTANT FACTS TO KNOW BEFORE MAKING A JUDGEMENT
The texture of each variety of rice depends on the nature of the starch content. Starch is mainly made up of amylose and amylopectin. The ratio of amylose to amylopectin determines the texture of the rice. Amylopectin is responsible for the sticky nature of rice. This character of the starch in the rice makes cooked grains stick together and allows it to be the bouncy property of the rice when made into balls.
sample videos of the alleged plastic on the Ghanian market
