Itanagar, June 6:
A resident of Arunachal Pradesh has sparked concern on social media after sharing a video showing black rice she allegedly purchased from Dibrugarh, Assam, losing almost all of its colour during washing. According to the woman, she bought three small bags of black rice for ₹100 each. However, when she rinsed the rice before cooking, large amounts of dark colour reportedly washed away, leaving the grains nearly white. The incident was captured on video and quickly went viral, drawing widespread attention and concern from viewers across the region.
The video has raised serious questions about the authenticity of the rice and the possibility of adulteration in local food markets. Many social media users expressed shock at how rapidly the grains lost their colour, with some alleging that the rice may have been artificially dyed and sold as premium black rice. Black rice is generally more expensive than ordinary rice due to its nutritional value and antioxidant content, making it a potential target for fraudulent practices aimed at deceiving consumers.
It is important to note that genuine black rice naturally contains anthocyanins, antioxidant pigments that can cause water to turn purple or dark when the rice is washed or soaked. However, authentic black rice generally retains its dark colour even after repeated washing. In the viral video, the grains appeared to lose most of their black coating and turned significantly lighter, prompting many viewers to question whether the product was genuine or artificially coloured.
The incident comes just days after authorities in Assam seized and disposed of large quantities of bananas and mangoes that were allegedly found to have been treated with artificial ripening agents. Such chemicals, when misused, can pose potential health risks to consumers. These back-to-back incidents have intensified concerns over food safety, quality control, and the monitoring of products being sold in markets across the state.
While the authenticity of the rice shown in the viral video has not yet been independently verified, the episode serves as a reminder for consumers to exercise caution and carefully inspect products before making a purchase.
Food safety experts and consumer rights advocates stress the importance of buying from trusted sources and urge authorities to strengthen inspections and enforcement measures to prevent adulterated or unsafe food products from reaching the public.
