102 bags of plastic rice confiscated in Nigeria

17:39 - 21 December 2016

___5931934___https:______static.pulse.com.gh___webservice___escenic___binary___5931934___2016___12___21___18___The+seized+rice+Credit+BBC

According to Haruna Mamudu, the head of the customs agency in Lagos, the seized product was very sticky after it had been boiled and could have caused health problems for unsuspecting consumers.

Authorities in Nigeria have seized 102 bags of plastic rice. The bags of ‘rice’ were intercepted by custom officials in Lagos before it found its way onto people’s plates during the festive season.

"Only God knows what would have happened [if this rice made its way to consumers]", he said.

Although it is unclear the origin of the plastic rice, suspicion has already fallen on China.

Last week, Ghana’s Food and Drugs Board, dispelled rumours on social media that fake rice had made its way onto the Ghanaian market. Just like in Nigeria, rice is a staple food in Ghana.

“We went around checking and investigating and up till now, in any sample of the said rice, we are not seeing that the thing is on the market… We are just appealing to the public, if you have a sample or you have seen somebody selling it, just get a sample, bring it to us or call us and tell us where the product is. We will move immediately and deal with it”, its director of public affairs, James Lartey said.