Gov’t seizes more than 1000 bags of spoiled rice
February 9, 2019The government’s Food Storage and Prevention of Infestation Division (FSPID) said it has confiscated 70 metric tonnes (1575 bags) of White Cinderella rice, which is valued at approximately $4.6 million and was imported from Guyana by a local distributor.
“Upon inspection, the rice had signs of mould growth, clumping, discolouration and wetting. As a result, the rice was detained by a Food Storage Inspector,” said the FSPID, which is part of the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries.
A statutory detention notice subsequently was placed on the rice, and samples were collected and submitted to the FSPID’s Microbiology Laboratory for testing.
The FSPID said: “The test results revealed that the rice had microbial levels above the accepted limits. Therefore, the rice was deemed not suitable for human consumptions, and was condemned.
“This seizure is the first for the year. The rice was imported by a large chain distributor in Jamaica with whom the matter was discussed extensively and, in keeping with the Food Storage and Prevention of Infestation (FSPI) Act (1958) and Regulations (1973), the rice were detained while arrangements made for disposal,” the FSPID further disclosed. File photo.
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