This happens to spread fast perhaps because it is a rumour. Plastic rice is in Ghana. Wherever I am whether in a taxi or engaging in public or private conversations with friends, family, office workers and strangers.
Moreover videos and comments supporting this rumour are all over social media. Those who emphasize on the story claim they have tasted and tested its plastic qualities. You hit to the ground and it bounced, you rubbed your fingers around it and it had this rubber feeling. Hence that is reasonable enough to conclude it is plastic? Let’s find out from the right authorities.
So just when I was waiting for FDA’s comment, on 26th June 2017, an article on Ghanaweb just cleared my confusion on the alleged influx of plastic rice in to the country.
According to the news, the chief executive officer of FDA has rubbished claims as widespread on social about plastic rice. And this is as a result of their extensive research which invalidates these claims.
This statement from Delese Darko thus clears our doubt: According to her “There is currently no plastic rice on the market. We are monitoring the situation. We are doing it with the international community… As to what is happening on social media, we will continue to monitor, but I cannot say why they are doing it,” she said at a press briefing on Friday.
And yes she is right to say, because there is no apparent reason why people are claiming the availability of plastic rice. Which company brought it into the system? Which rice brand can we convincingly suggest make up plastic rice?
The FDA also said they collected samples from the market with the help of their post market surveillance system. Derived from their laboratory test, the samples prove to be authentic.
The FDA also revealed that, they are working with the international food safety authority network (INFOSAN), whose investigations into the same rumour of fake plastic rice in other countries such as Singapore, Nigeria and Canada, has revealed that all the rice in these countries are authentic and no plastic rice has been found anywhere in the world.
A quick glance at the FDA website (www.fdaghana.gov.gh) reveals a list of currently registered and safe food products including rice on the Ghanaian market, among which are Gino Thai Jasmine Rice, Obaatan Pa Long Grain Rice, Ruby long grain Rice, cow boy rice, Jazz rice and so many others. In 2016, the FDA, whilst urging calm over the claims, suggested the possibility of the allegations emanating from some competitors in the rice retail market to undo others.
AYALOBUZZ 