The Hindu Business Line reports that C.R. Chaudhary, the Minister of State for Consumer Affairs, told the Lok Sabha in a written reply that the government was aware of reports of rice and sugar being made of plastic.

"The matter has been taken up with the State governments of Kerala and Gujarat on the basis of International Food Safety Authorities Network (INFOSAN) alert. The concerned State governments have confirmed that no incidence of plastic rice has been reported in the respective States," he informed the House.

The Minister said random sampling and testing of food products, including rice and sugar, was done by the officials of Food Safety Departments of respective States/UTs to check compliance of the standards laid down under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, Rules and Regulations.

"No specific case of presence of plastic rice and sugar has been detected in the country," he said, adding that under the provisions of the Consumer Protection Act, 1986, one can approach consumer fora for redressal in case of defective products and deficiency in service.

In reply to another question, Sudershan Bhagat, the Minister of State for Agriculture, said that reports of plastic eggs had come to the notice of Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) through various platforms.

"Consequently, FSSAI has asked Commissioners of Food Safety of all States / Union Territories to ensure that there is no production / distribution of fake/artificial eggs and urged them to take up strict enforcement activities," adding that "no specific instance of presence of fake eggs in any part of the country has been received."