The allegations of adulterated rice being supplied to fair price shops has left BPL card holders scared. There have also been complaints from the beneficiaries from Goa district that the subsidised foodgrains distributed through the PDS are unfit for human consumption. The poor are scared to purchase rice. There could be serious health hazards if plastic edible items, maggot-infested foodgrains are being sold and consumed. The concept of plastic rice first surfaced around 12 years back in China. It was popularly known as the Wuchang Rice Scandal. This is a matter of concern as the plastic rice has reached the fair price shops too. Most of the families in India depend on the low-priced rice from the fair price shops. As one cannot make out the difference between plastic rice and the original rice, the incidents are being reported after cooking and consuming rice. The government must investigate these claims and explain the factual position. It's important for the people to be more cautious while buying food.
