Can we say with certainty that there is bad blood between China and Africans? The thought comes to mind because China has been in the black books of many African countries in relation to reported adulterated edible products being shipped to the continent by the Chinese.
It has been reported that rice imported into Nigeria may contain a mixture of unhealthy rice grains, popularly referred to as plastic rice. Worse, there appears to be unofficial news that rice shipments in Nigeria may contain “plastic circles.” Plastic rice is said to be formed from potatoes and molded into rice shapes using chemicals.
These came after information was widely shared that the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) has uncovered sacks of the dreaded plastic rice at a warehouse in Ikeja, Lagos. More than 100 sacks of rice, each weighing about 25 kg, were reportedly seized.
According to Lagos customs chief Haruna Mamudu, the rice, which was to be sold during the Christmas period, was very sticky when cooked and showed signs of being dangerous. The rice in question was ranked as the best tomato and had neither a production date nor an expiry date.
Nigeria bans imports of rice
Following a reported travel import ban in the country, many efforts have been made to make the local staple affordable for Nigerians. Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, who is also the largest rice investor in Africa, made his own contributions.
It is worth remembering that the business mogul had importing genetically modified (GMO) rice was frowned upon for its bad health effects. GMO rice grains are genetically engineered, meaning they have altered their original DNA.
However, while efforts to promote locally produced rice are being made, the move taken by the government has led to rice shortages and skyrocketing inflation. This is because farmers were not provided with sufficient resources to achieve the goal. A viral report some time ago revealed that Nigeria’s minimum wage of N18,000 can no longer buy a sack of rice, which has skyrocketed to N25,000 per sack.
This shortage and inflation have given more room for the rice trade, which explains how plastic rice got into the country in the first place.
Let’s call it business propaganda, but it pays to be careful with what we take.
Here are the 6 ways that can help you determine when you’re eating the real thing and when you’re not:
1. Fire test:
As the name suggests, the fake rice is “plastic”. Burn a few grains and if they’re flammable, that’s proof your rice isn’t the natural one.
2. Water test:
Add water to a glass containing some grains and stir. When everyone has settled under the water, the rice is real. but if it floats it is unsafe for consumption.
3. Granulation test:
Granulated rice grains should be slightly white in color. Yellow discoloration indicates otherwise.
4. Oil test:
Put rice grains in heated oil; If they’re fake, they’ll melt in the oil, stick together, or stick to the bottom of the pan.
5. Form test:
Boil rice and leave for 2-3 days. With the weather reaction, mold should form on the cooked rice. If the rice does not show mold after days (without preservation), it is plastic rice.
6. Cooking test:
Plastic rice forms a thick layer when cooked, while real rice does not.
It is important to note that this is not plastic rice, as many have interpreted. Rather, it is adulterated rice so contaminated that it is unsafe for consumption.
China’s reputation in Africa
Before the plastic rice rigmarole, another event that further dented the already tarnished reputation of the Chinese in Africa was the news that corpses were being processed and corned beef being sold in Africa.
The reports, which turned out to be rumors, began citing alleged sources from Chinese meat factories, according to the Zambian press. However, the reports were later debunked by Chinese Ambassador to Zambia Yang Youmong, who said the rumors were being spread by those who wanted to destroy the China-Zambia partnership.