Dimapur, June 20 (EMN): Food Safety authorities have refuted reports in social media platforms about plastic eggs and rice being allegedly sold in the market.
A statement from the Food Safety Officer of Kohima Zone on Thursday informed that samples of suspected plastic rice and egg submitted in June from Wokha district and tested at the State Public Health Laboratory (SPHL) in Kohima were found to be natural and devoid of any artificial or plastic elements.
“Random samples are being collected by Food Safety officials of respective districts and tested at SPHL Kohima to check compliance of the standards laid down under the Food Safety and Standards Act 2006, Rules and Regulations. Citizens are therefore requested to refrain from spreading such fake viral videos and not fall prey to such false information creating more panic and confusion,” read the statement.
It also stated that the Food Safety and Standard Authority of India (FSSAI) has raised the issue of fake viral videos with the Ministry of Electronics and IT in November last year. “The FSSAI has informed the consumers regarding rumours on plastic cabbage, plastic Kurkure (fast food item), plastic rice and plastic egg are hoax.
“The video on plastic cabbage was actually about wax food replicas used as displays outside restaurants in Japan. Regarding plastic Kurkure, FSSAI clarified that the presence of a compound called acrylamide causes the food item to burn when lit with a matchstick and it does not contain any plastic material.”
It also said that the former head of Grains, Science and Technology, Mysore, Dr. Nagappa G Malleshi had explained rice is 80% starch, which makes the cooked rice swell and sticky. “So when it is mashed and made into a ball, they entrap air and therefore bounce. He also clarified that plastic rice cannot absorb water nor can it cook. It will only melt and burn.
“Eggs stored at room temperature for days undergo changes in their texture, smell and appearances. As a consequence of water loss in old eggs, the egg white and yolk portions shrink. It results in a dry and paper like appearance, which creates the impression that it is plastic.”
