Decade-old rice prompts questions about health risks

[webfact]

 

In an urgent call to the authorities, a rice specialist has sounded the alarm over the government’s plans to distribute a decade-old rice stockpile to the public, highlighting serious health risks.

 

This comes in the wake of Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister Phumtham Wechayachai’s inspection of two Surin province warehouses on March 14, where he declared the 10 year old rice fit for consumption.

 

Stored under the remnants of the controversial rice-pledging scheme from the Yingluck Shinawatra era, a staggering 145,590 sacks of rice have been languishing in Poonpol Trading Co Ltd’s and Kittichai’s warehouses. Amidst rising storage costs, Phumtham aims to auction the rice, potentially raising between 300 million to 500 million baht. Despite his assurances of the rice’s quality, citing its enduring jasmine fragrance and satisfactory taste when cooked, concerns escalate.

 

Associate Professor Dr Somporn Isvilanonda, a senior fellow at the Knowledge Network Institute of Thailand, contests Phumtham’s optimistic assessment. He argues that jasmine rice’s shelf life typically spans three to four years, extendable to five under optimal storage conditions, reported The Nation.

The primary worry is the potential development of aflatoxins, hazardous compounds produced by fungi, a risk exacerbated by the rice’s prolonged exposure to anti-moth chemicals.

 

ORIGINAL STORY: Decade-old Thai rice from controversial scheme found fresh

 

Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister Phumtham Wechayachai conducted a rice inspection following an invitation from the Association of Thai Agricultural Product Surveyors.

 

The association, keen to dispel allegations regarding the quality of rice held under the contentious rice-pledging scheme, orchestrated an eventful visit to warehouses owned by Poonpon Trading Ltd and Kittichai Ltd in different districts of the northeastern province.

 

Accompanied by three key stakeholders, warehouse owners, provincial commerce officials, and representatives from the Public Warehouse Organisation, Phumtham meticulously inspected the rice stocks. In a twist that surprised many, the verdict emerged: the rice, despite its age, retained its quality.

 

“We need to release this rice to the market as soon as possible.”

 

Phumtham highlighted the opportune moment given the current decent rice prices. This decision, he claimed, would not only secure government profits but also alleviate various stakeholders’ concerns.

 

The rice-pledging scheme, initiated by former Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra post the 2011 election, aimed to empower Thai farmers by offering higher prices for their crops. However, the scheme was marred by controversy, with accusations of significant financial losses and substandard storage practices rampant, reported The Nation.

 

According to the Association of Thai Agricultural Product Surveyors, Poonpon Trading’s warehouse harbours 32,879 bags of rice, while the Kittichai facility accommodates a whopping 112,711 bags, each bag weighing 50 kilogrammes.

 

by Puntid Tantivangphaisal

Photo courtesy of The Nation

 

Source: The Thaiger 2024-03-21

 

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[JoePai]

Why not give (yes for free) a sack of the rice to every old Thai pensioner

[NoDisplayName]

1 hour ago, webfact said:

a staggering 145,590 sacks of rice have been languishing in Poonpol Trading Co Ltd’s and Kittichai’s warehouses. Amidst rising storage costs

 

How much?

[jvs]

They need to clear the evidence before Yingluck comes back?

A lot of coincidences lately,or not?

Why not just make it into fuel or animal feed?

The cost of keeping it stored for ten years must be more than the rice is worth?

Not suitable for export but good for Thai people to eat?

 

[hotchilli]

3 hours ago, webfact said:

Despite his assurances of the rice’s quality, citing its enduring jasmine fragrance and satisfactory taste when cooked, concerns escalate.

I'm sure he's an expert.....

[hotchilli]

1 hour ago, jvs said:

They need to clear the evidence before Yingluck comes back?

A lot of coincidences lately,or not?

Why not just make it into fuel or animal feed?

The cost of keeping it stored for ten years must be more than the rice is worth?

Not suitable for export but good for Thai people to eat?

 

Makes me wonder why they haven't tried to export it as the latest harvest.

[HappyExpat57]

I thought I remember reading a few years back how this stuff had become infested with bugs and rats.

[worgeordie]

So it's just been sitting there earning money for the godown owner ,he was hoping

to get at least another 10 years out of it ,before anyone realised it was there.

 

 

"a risk exacerbated by the rice’s prolonged exposure to anti-moth chemicals"

That's going to be some really fragrant rice ...
“We need to release this rice to the market as soon as possible.”  who ever said that needs to eat

some first....

 

regards worgeordie

 

 

 

[john donson]

high storage costs for rotting rice

 

only in thailand

 

a few dudes who own the warehouse are happy and rich

[Srikcir]

Politics puts everything at risk. 

[curtklay]

Make Yingluck eat it.

[TheFishman1]

That whole rice episode what a scam that was well she learned from the best her brother he left the country with billions then he came back, stayed in the hospital and then was released. Thailand, never changes same same TIT.

[kickstart]

It will probably end up being sold off cheap, to Thailand's big livestock feed companies ground down and put in livestock feed.

[johng]

I laughed last night watching the news   they announced the rice had been stored carefully and sprayed with insecticide regularly for the last 10 years to prevent infestation and was fit for sale  then next shot was various "officials" eating samples of the rice !

[billd766]

5 hours ago, curtklay said:

Make Yingluck eat it.

NO.

 

Make Prayuth and all his extended family eat it for two meals a day every day until it is all gone.

 

After all it happened on his watch.

 

He promised many things as I remember.

 

Stopping corruption.

 

Overhauling the police, the military and the civil service.

 

Returning happiness to the Thai people.

 

I wonder how that lot turned out in the end.