Fake news in SPH owned Hardware Zone about plastic chicken rice in Hougang?

A forumer in Hardware Zone claimed that her “friend’s friend” found plastic rice at a Kopitiam in Hougang.

The forumer asked if the news was real and also made a disclaimer saying, “this did not happen to me or anyone I know. I’m just posting this here for awareness.”

Other forumers responding to the story pointed out how ludicrous the claim seems to be.

“Maybe just found a rice shaped plastic material in the packet and auto declare whole packet?”

“1 grain only… Best way to prove is to use fire… When plastic melts it will somewhat mix together, but if it’s real rice, it will become black.”

Some asked the Forum not not spread unnecessary rumours.

In May last year, the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority (AVA) in responding to news that fake rice made of plastic reported to have reached Singapore said: “As part of AVA’s routine surveillance, imported rice is regularly inspected and sampled to ensure compliance with our food safety standards and requirements. Our sampling tests cover a wide range of food-borne hazards. Thus far, the testing results have been satisfactory. We have not received any feedback on fake rice.”

Hardware Zone is a wholly owned subsidiary of Singapore Press Holdings (SPH) – the same media group which publishes The Straits Times and other mainstream newspapers.