Dubai: You may have heard people saying that they’ve tried food that tasted like plastic.
But this latest food rumour has taken that phrase quite literally.
On Tuesday, Dubai Municipality quashed rumours about plastic rice circulating in the market.
On its official Facebook page, the Food Safety Department at Dubai Municipality has denied the outlandish claims.
Eman Al Bastaki, director of food safety department at the municipality, pointed out that the alleged reports lack credibility and is insignificant.
In a statement, Al Bastaki said the rumours indicate a clear malicious intent to discredit the level of food safety among all types of rice products in the market.
She also clearly stated that plastic rice does not exist.
“There is no such thing in the market known as plastic rice because it is like a fantasy [that is] easy to detect, [either] through sensing it or cooking it, or by adding any substances, such as fat or oil, which will simply turn into a plastic mass by heat,” said Al Bastaki.
“Therefore, the Municipality urges consumers not to publish misleading and unrealistic rumors,” she added.
To verify food rumours, residents can contact Dubai Municipality’s call centre on 800 900 or through WhatsApp on +971 50 1077799.
According to international media reports, social networking sites have shared plenty of rumours on plastic rice since early 2011.
Al Bastaki pointed out that the municipality does not spare any effort in maintaining public health and protect the public from any risks, "and have devoted a large force of observers and inspectors in all areas concerning the protection of public health and food."
The rumours claimed that China was responsible for manufacturing the plastic rice. The rice was then exported to other countries, and consumed by people who were unaware of what they were actually eating.
The false reports also claimed that the “rice” was made by mixing potatoes, sweet potatoes and plastic. The potatoes, according to the rumours, are first formed into the shape of rice grains.
Industrial synthetic resins are then added to the mix. The rice reportedly stays hard even after being cooked.
