ABU don, Mamza raises alarm over consumption of plastic rice

Urges FG To Prohibit Its Importation
Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) don and National President, Polymer Institute of Nigeria, Professor Paul Mamza, has raised alarm over the danger in consumption of some foreign “plastic rice,” which found their way into the Nigerian market, warning of its deadly health hazards.

Giving an insight into how the plastic rice could be detected, Prof. Mamza, who called on the Federal Government to immediately halt the continuing circulation of it, pointed out that the plastic rice is being imported from China, and is capable of causing cancer.

Mamza said, yesterday, that the rice has the trade name, “Best Tomatoes Rice.” He stated that the product has no expiry date, as well as NAFDAC registration number.

A statement issued by the polymer expert and made available to journalists in Kaduna, further explained that the plastic rice is produced from potato powder and plastic materials blended together.

According to him, the harmful rice could be detected by dropping some grains into a bowl of water and stirring. If the grains settle, the rice is genuine, but if not, it is plastic.

“If the grains are grounded, the colour turns light yellow, while it would be white, if it is normal rice. I hereby use this golden opportunity to intimate the general public that plastic rice is detrimental to human health, when consumed because of the chemicals used in the production of public plastic, which can cause cancer,” Mamza said.