Food Storage Division condemns 1,575 bags of bad rice

The Food Storage and Prevention of Infestation Division in the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries is reporting that it has condemned several bags of rice imported from Guyana because it was found to be unsafe for human consumption.

In a statement, the division said the 1,575 bags of White Cinderella rice, weighing 70 metric tonnes, valued at approximately $4.6 million, which was imported by a local distributor.

The agency said 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.

Subsequently, a statutory detention notice was placed on the rice and samples collected and submitted to the division’s Microbiology Laboratory for testing.

The results, according to the division, revealed that the rice had microbial levels above the accepted limits.

It said the rice was deemed unsuitable for human consumptions and was condemned.

“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 was detained while arrangements made for disposal,” the agency said. 

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