The Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB) is yet to receive information from the Jamaican authorities on reports of the confiscation of 70 tonnes of “Cinderella White” rice, General Manager Nizam Hassan said yesterday.
Earlier this month, the Jamaica Observer reported that the Jamaica Food Storage and Prevention of Infestation Division (FSPID) confiscated 70 metric tonnes (1,575 bags) of the rice from Guyana due to high microbial content. The GRDB subsequently launched an investigation.
At a press conference at the Ministry of Agriculture yesterday, Hassan explained that the GRDB learnt of the issue through reports in the media and has since reached out to the Jamaican authorities.
“They reported that they could not give us any information and they have not provided us with any information as I speak to you. We then contacted the supplier of the rice because we know who was the supplier, who informed us that the buyer that he had been exporting to has said nothing to him regarding the supply,” Hassan explained, while noting that the exporter also said that he has since been paid in full for his exports.
He added that contact was also made with the buyer, who did not provide any information.
Hassan added that no additional information regarding the issues has been related to the GRDB and it has since reached out to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for assistance in getting additional information on what actually transpired.
The Observer report said 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.
It added that 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.
