With the rumours agog on plastic rice and social media contributing liberally for its spread, a restaureter has alleged that men claiming to be from the media had bargained a deal and threatened to tarnish the image of the hotel if he did not “take care of them”.

Two people on Saturday confronted Ravi, owner of Amutha Surabhi restaurant near Avila Convent Matriculation Higher Secondary School, and said the food they had taken as parcel from his restaurant was of bad quality.

Ravi promptly apologised, returned the money and took back the food they had bought. However, around 4 p.m. the duo returned to the restaurant, this time with two others, whom they claimed to be from the media.

“They said the rice I used in my hotel was plastic rice. They even made rice balls and tried to bounce it on the floor to prove their point,” said Ravi.

“When I told them even the Government had clarified that there was no plastic rice, one of the so-called-media-man took me aside and started bargaining with me. He demanded money from me, failing which he threatened to publish a story against my restaurant,” he added.

When Ravi refused to pay and stood his ground, the four left the place furiously.