Ebun Francis with agency reports
For those who doubt the existence of plastic rice in the Nigerian Market, the Federal Operations Unit, Ikeja, of the Nigeria Customs Service said Tuesday that it intercepted 102 bags of such rice branded “Beat Tomato Rice” with no date of manufacture, in Ikeja area of Lagos. Mohammed Haruna, the Customs Area Controller of F.O.U, said that the commodity was stored for distribution as Yuletide gifts for the public.
According to Haruna, “Before now, I thought it was a rumour that the plastic rice is all over the country but with this seizure, I have been totally convinced that such rice exists.
“We have done the preliminary analysis on the plastic rice. After boiling, it was sticky and only God knows what would have happened if people consumed it.
“I advise those economic saboteurs who see yuletide season as a peak period for nefarious acts to desist from such illegal business.
“The unit has decided other operational modalities that will make them run for their monies and count their losses.”
Haruna appreciated well-meaning Nigerians who provided the service with prompt information that led to the discovery of the bags of plastic rice. He therefore, advised the media to educate the public on the existence of plastic rice, adding that it was no longer a rumour.
The impounded plastic rice would handover the plastic rice to the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control for proper investigation and assessment.