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Mystery over “Cinderella” rice shipped from Guyana; seized by Jamaica

Feb 12, 2019 News

 

There seems be mystery surrounding a rice shipment seized by Jamaican authorities, recently.
The local miller has said he did not ship any rice for the year to Jamaica and in any case has been paid for his shipments.
Yesterday, the Ministry of Agriculture said that the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB) is investigating the matter.
Over the weekend, reports surfaced that 70 metric tonnes of “White Cinderella” rice, valued at approximately $4.6 million, was confiscated by Jamaica’s Industries, Agriculture and Fisheries Ministry.
According to reports, a series of inspections were carried out which revealed that the grains had signs of mould, clumping, discoloration and wetting resulting in the detention by a food storage inspector.
General Manager of the GRDB, Nizam Hassan, has since expressed concern over the claims, as no rice has been shipped to Jamaica from Guyana for the year by the miller who packages under the Cinderella Brand.
“I am very disturbed by these reports. We have since reached out to the Food Storage and Prevention of Infestation Division in the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries in Jamaica and are awaiting a response.
“The situation is puzzling since the last shipment left Guyana on 15th December and arrived on the 19th December, 2018. Like any other shipment, the rice that was sent to Jamaica underwent a series of physical tests and was certified.
“The Board conducts such tests on paddy, rice and rice by- products prior to any shipment leaving Guyana,” Hassan said.
GRDB export records also revealed that the supplier, to date, has not received any complaints from the buyer in Jamaica or any other of its markets and has been paid for all rice shipped.
Export reports also indicate no single shipment from the supplier amounted to 70 tonnes.
The General Manager further stated that rice could develop mould if it becomes wet in storage.
“It is very important that the rice be stored in a dry place. Mould and other bacteria can develop on the grain if the rice is exposed to moisture or becomes wet in storage,” Hassan said.
The Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB) has since made contact with Food Storage and Prevention of Infestation Division in the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries in Jamaica. It is yet to receive official word on the matter.
“The Board is calling on all players within the industry to remain vigilant as the matter is being investigated.”
Over the weekend, Jamaica’s Food Storage and Prevention of Infestation Division (FSPID), in the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries (MICAF), announced it has confiscated 70 metric tonnes (1575 bags) of White Cinderella rice, valued at approximately $4.6 million, which 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.”
According to a statement of the Jamaican government, a statutory detention notice was placed on the rice and samples collected were submitted to the FSPID’s Microbiology Laboratory for testing.
“The 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 was detained while arrangements made for disposal.”
The FSPID is a regulatory department with responsibility for ensuring the safety and wholesomeness of food entering commerce.

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