FDA reacts to videos on alleged plastic rice

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The Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) has asked the public to disregard videos circulating on social media, the content of which is purported to be plastic rice, on the Ghanaian market.

The Authority, in a statement, noted that the content of videos circulated on social media are false.

The FDA explained that “in 2017, the FDA based on these videos, investigated the claims and issued a press statement denying the existence of plastic rice. As part of that investigation, and through our nationwide market surveillance activities, the Authority obtained random samples and subsequently requested members of the public to assist our investigations by either submitting samples of the alleged plastic rice or giving information about where they could be found.”

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They added that “the samples received were subjected to laboratory analyses.” However, the “results from the analyses showed that all the samples were, in fact, authentic rice and not plastic as perceived by the public.”

Disregard videos on alleged plastic rice, they are false - FDA

“It is important to note that, the physical and chemical properties of plastics are such that they cannot be cooked into edible food. This is because plastic cannot absorb water and does not mix with water,” portions of the statement read.

The FDA, therefore, assured the public that it “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.”