Contrary to rumours spread that plastic rice is distributed through the ration cards, the Civil Supplies Department has clarified that it is ‘fortified’ and not plastic and has called on the public not to panic. The civil supplies and consumer affairs department recently held an awareness campaign to explain that the rice is fortified with nutrition in order to improve the immune system which makes the rice float in water.
Be that as it may, it is most unlikely that plastic rice would be imported to India from China as it costs much more than normal paddy. Secondly, India produces enough paddy and doesn’t need to import rice from that country. It is learnt that plastic rice cannot absorb water nor can it cook. It will only melt and burn.
It needs to be noted that in an effort to strengthen and ensure nutritional security by means of value addition, the government of India had decided to scale up distribution of fortified rice and start supplying it through Integrated Child Development Services and Mid-Day Meal scheme. Currently, fortified rice is being distributed via the public distribution system (PDS). The objective of the scheme was to address anemia and micronutrient deficiency in the country.
