Nigerian officials have seized more than 2.5 tons of plastic "rice" believed to have been smuggled into the country from China.
At least one suspect has been arrested in connection with the "haul of 102 bags", the contents of which are "dangerous for human consumption," reports The Guardian.
The bags were marketed as "Best Tomato Rice" and had no date of manufacture.
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
According to Lagos customs chief Haruna Mamudu, it was likely to have been sold in markets during the run-up to Christmas and could have had severe health implications if it had been eaten.
"We have done a preliminary analysis of the plastic rice. After boiling, it was sticky and only God knows what would have happened if people consumed it," he said.
Prices for the popular Nigerian staple have gone through the roof because of galloping inflation. A 110lb bag now sells for around 20,000 naira (£51), more than double the price in December last year.
Local media has reported fake rice being found in several places since mid-November, with the Nigerian Bulletin posting advice on how to spot the counterfeit product.
"Get a lighter and burn a handful of rice. If it catches fire and smells like burnt plastic, you have fake rice," the paper says.
-
Russia is ‘helping China’ prepare for an invasion of TaiwanIn the Spotlight Russia is reportedly allowing China access to military training
-
Interpol arrests hundreds in Africa-wide sextortion crackdownIN THE SPOTLIGHT A series of stings disrupts major cybercrime operations as law enforcement estimates millions in losses from schemes designed to prey on lonely users
-
China is silently expanding its influence in American citiesUnder the Radar New York City and San Francisco, among others, have reportedly been targeted
-
How China uses 'dark fleets' to circumvent trade sanctionsThe Explainer The fleets are used to smuggle goods like oil and fish
-
Nigeria's 'baby factories': a hidden crisisUnder The Radar A secretive network sees women lured, locked up and forced to give birth for profit
-
One year after mass protests, why are Kenyans taking to the streets again?today's big question More than 60 protesters died during demonstrations in 2024
-
What happens if tensions between India and Pakistan boil over?TODAY'S BIG QUESTION As the two nuclear-armed neighbors rattle their sabers in the wake of a terrorist attack on the contested Kashmir region, experts worry that the worst might be yet to come
-
Why Russia removed the Taliban's terrorist designationThe Explainer Russia had designated the Taliban as a terrorist group over 20 years ago
