Jamaica’s Food Storage and Prevention of Infestation Division (FSPID) says it has confiscated 70 metric tonnes (1,575 bags) of White Cinderella rice from Guyana due to high microbial content, the Jamaica Observer has reported.
The newspaper said on Friday that the rice, valued at approximately J$4.6 million, was imported from Guyana by a large chain distributor. It was found to have signs of mould growth, clumping discolouration and wetting, resulting in its detention by a food storage inspector.
The division advised that a statutory detention notice was subsequently placed on the rice and samples collected were submitted to the FSPID’s Microbiology Laboratory for testing.
According to the newspaper report, the results revealed that the rice had microbial levels above the accepted limits and as such was deemed not suitable for human consumptions and was condemned.
It said the division further advised that in keeping with the Food Storage and Prevention of Infestation (FSPI) Act (1958) and Regulations (1973), the rice was detained while arrangements were made for disposal.
