Since the beginning of May on social networks, a topic is creating a buzz. An important number of internet users are publishing and sharing images and videos on the rice manufacturing process.

Only drawback, the rice seen is the result of stretching and cutting plastic films. In most files, it is said that Chinese companies, looking to make savings are, without qualms, use plastic material as substitute for rice and their main clients are African countries. Some web users convinced that they were victims of the scam film themselves carrying out lengthy demonstrations.

This is a sham. This is what revealed the results of the first phase of a three-part study broadcast and directed by the program “les observateurs” on the news channel France 24 on 09 June. The grains of rice presented are actually plastic pellets manufactured and sold to protect fragile objects.

“Les observateurs” talk to a toxicologist, Dr Alfred Bernard who shows by testing rice from a well-known brand, that it is possible to burn rice. The program also uses the expertise of the director of the Technical Food Institute of Dakar, Dr Fallou Sarr who proves that after two years, and due to its components (amylose and amylopectin), rice grains can rebound, bind together or dry like plasticin.