This could have been neglected as an internet hoarse but according to the Nigerian Observer, the Customs Area Controller of F.O.U. Ikeja, Comptroller Mohammed Haruna while on interview with NAN was quoted saying,
“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”.
A suspect has been arrested over the haul of 102 bags of the fake rice, which officials warned Wednesday was dangerous for human consumption.
They are suspected to have been smuggled or illegally shipped in from China through Lagos port, a senior customs official in Nigeria’s commercial hub told AFP.
The 50-kilo bags, branded “Best Tomato Rice”, had no date of manufacture and were intercepted Monday in the Ikeja area of the sprawling city, the official said on condition of anonymity.
The customs service has sent the fake rice to the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control for further analysis.
