Rumours of plastic rice evokes retail inspection in Chennai

Two days after an alarm in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh about the sale of plastic rice, inspections were conducted in retails stores across Chennai. However, Food Safety Officials said that there was no trace of plastic grains.

Following a directive from the state food safety commissioner, officials inspected rice sold at 74 outlets across the city, including in Anna Nagar, Mylapore and Parry's corner. Fourteen samples were elected and sent for testing.

R Kathiravan, Designated food safety officer for Chennai, said, "They turned out to be real rice grains."

The department had undertaken similar inspections two months ago in parts of North Chennai following concerns raised by the public after a video showing plastic rice being sold in markets started doing the rounds.

Kathiravan, said, "We did not find anything amiss then too. However, we will continue our checks if and when we get complaints."

The directive was given after a man from Hyderabad lodged a complaint alleging the biryani he had bought was made of plastic grains.