5 Ways to Spot Fake or Low-Quality Rice in Markets

Rice is one of the most common foods in Nigeria because it’s easy to cook, always on the menu, and loved in countless forms. However, not every bag of rice is what it claims to be. Buying rice from market stalls or roadside vendors often comes with the risk of getting low-quality or adulterated grains.

The so-called "plastic rice" scare may have quieted down, but the real issue hasn’t gone anywhere. Questionable rice filled with stones, dust, or chemicals is still a problem. If you don’t want your next pot of jollof or fried rice to turn into a disaster, these five quick checks can help you tell good rice from bad.

One of the quickest ways to test rice quality is the water test. Take a clear glass, fill it with water, and pour in a tablespoon of raw rice. Stir it gently and wait for a few seconds.

If the grains float to the top, it could mean you're dealing with overly polished or contaminated rice. Quality rice is naturally dense and should sink. Floaters could be signs of starch-heavy filler rice, grains with trapped air, or even leftover processing residue.

Supermart
₦23,995(10 kg)

Red Eagle is gently polished to retain more of its natural nutrients, giving you grains that are not just clean but also rich in taste. It cooks well without turning mushy and has a wholesome flavour that works for both everyday meals and special recipes. If you’re after something that feels less processed but still premium, this is a solid pick.

You can spot a low-quality batch the moment it hits boiling water. If the rice forms a thick, gummy layer at the top of the pot or stays stone-hard after cooking, something is off.

Some poor-grade rice is preserved with chemical coatings that mess with its texture. Others may have been on the shelf too long or exposed to moisture. Good rice should cook evenly, turn fluffy, and separate well.

If you notice an odd chemical smell or rubbery feel, don’t eat it. It's not worth the risk, especially when there are better options that offer safer, better-cooking options.

Supermart
₦50,000(25 kg)

Royal Stallion is a longtime household favourite that’s imported but properly polished. The grains are firm, clean, and cook without clumping. If you’re tired of worrying about chalky rice, this is one of the safer options on the shelf.

Here’s a surprising truth: rice that never goes bad might be a problem. Sure, no one likes food that spoils too quickly, but with rice, it’s often a sign that it’s natural and safe. After boiling, scoop a small portion into a transparent container and leave it covered for 3-5 days.

If there's no sign of mould or smell, that’s a red flag. Natural rice, even when refrigerated, should eventually spoil. Mould resistance may mean the rice was treated with strong chemical preservatives.

If you buy in bulk, store your rice in a sealed, food-safe drum to prevent pest or moisture issues. 

Not all white rice is truly clean. If the grains look too shiny, bleached, or have a yellowish tint, they might have been chemically polished or stored poorly.

Good-quality rice usually has a slightly off-white, matte look with no strange coating. Rub a few grains between your fingers. If it leaves behind chalky residue, that's another sign of tampering or poor processing.

Look closely. Some traders dye old rice or mix in broken grains to increase quantity. If it looks suspicious, it probably is.

Before you buy, give the rice a quick sniff. Good rice has a light, earthy aroma. If it smells musty, overly chemical, or burnt, avoid it.

Sometimes, rice that’s been stored too long picks up smells from fertilisers, chemicals, or other food items in the warehouse. Those odours may not go away with washing or cooking.

The Rice Man
₦95,000(50 kg)

Mama’s Pride rice is known for its long grains and consistent quality. It’s produced by Olam and tailored to Nigerian cooking habits, making it ideal for everything. It’s also locally processed, which means fewer chances of dealing with stale or expired grains.

As much as market rice is affordable and easy to find, it's also where most of the risk lies. Packaged rice brands are more likely to go through better cleaning, processing, and storage. Many come sealed to protect from moisture, insects, and unwanted smells, and they usually have batch numbers or expiry dates for traceability.

Rice is too important to your weekly menu to leave to chance. The next time you're in the market, these five tips can help you make smarter choices and avoid the common traps of adulterated or stale rice.