Professor Isaac Adewole, Minister of Health yesterday, allayed fears over purported circulation of plastic rice in Nigerian markets, saying preliminary laboratory tests revealed there was no evidence to back up the claims.
Adewole, who wrote on his twitter handle @Fmohnigeria noted: ”I have just been briefed by the DG @nafdacagency on plastic rice reports. Preliminary test results reveal there is no evidence backing claims.”
It would be recalled that Customs officials seized a batch of 102 bags of rice thought to have been “plastic” rice and samples were sent out to laboratories for testing.
Adewole in his tweets after a meeting with the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC, explained that the rice tested negative for floating, cooked and smelled normal, had regular off-white colour. Moisture and pre-ashing tests also indicated normal levels.
The minister said NAFDAC “will release detailed findings to public as soon as it concludes investigations. We urge all Nigerians to remain calm for now.”
The reports about the circulation of plastic rice in the country for sale have caused scare among Nigerians.
