Tests show Thai rice not hazardous

[webfact]

Tests show rice not hazardous
Puangchompu Prasert
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Public Health Ministry examined 33 samples of rice from different brands and found no toxins or chemicals, contradicting claims by some opponents of the rice-pledging scheme on social-media websites.

The brands include Mah Boon Krong, Big C, Royal Umbrella, Benjarong, Hong Thong among others. No mould was discovered, though a small amount of animal fur, insect parts and some live weevils were found in a very small amount of the samples. The ministry said this was well under the World Health Organisation's regulations.

Some brands of packaged rice have been targeted on social media, with people claiming that the rice is from last year's stocks and could be contaminated. Dr Niphon Popattanachai, director-general of the ministry's Medical Science Department said the rumour had affected confidence in the quality of rice and caused worries among consumers.

Niphon said yesterday the foreign substances found were far too negligible to be hazardous to health, unlike some imported pasta.

Results for rice from CP and Nakhon Luang brands from Ayutthaya province along with eight other samples will be available on Monday, he said.

The ministry's food standard expert Kanokporn Atisuk said though a small amount of methyl bromide and phosphine used in the production process was detected in the samples, the level is safe and well under the WHO standard of no more than 50 milligrams per kilogram. He said these can be partially removed through rinsing, steaming and mere evaporation.


-- The Nation 2013-07-13

[Soutpeel]

Niphon said yesterday the foreign substances found were far too negligible to be hazardous to health, unlike some imported pasta

So one assumes then The Public Health Ministry is going to publish the brand names of said imported pasta to protect consumers then ?

[Curt1591]

Grains, and anything produced from grains, contain, and are always allowed a certain amount of contaminants. This is worldwide.

Different countries allow different levels.

[Soutpeel]

Grains, and anything produced from grains, contain, and are always allowed a certain amount of contaminants. This is worldwide.

Different countries allow different levels.

Of course...but the esteemed health ministry appears to be inferring that there is pasta being imported into Thailand which is their opinion is hazardeous to peoples health, therefore as the Public Health Ministry, shouldnt they be publishing their findings on said pasta...seeing as one assumes this is one of their job functions as a public health ministry ?

[PaullyW]

So, right on cue then. Didn't a relatively famous Thai newscaster mention contrary results regarding one of the major brands just a few days ago? Seems like they finished this testing real real quick.

On a separate note, I wonder why they publish these news stories in English. Surely they don't think foreigners here are so dumb as to believe that they have the public's best interest in mind? I'll be avoiding the rice until Western experts in the US, Canada or Europe or Japan or Korea publish their results.

[chooka]

Grains, and anything produced from grains, contain, and are always allowed a certain amount of contaminants. This is worldwide.

Different countries allow different levels.

Of course...but the esteemed health ministry appears to be inferring that there is pasta being imported into Thailand which is their opinion is hazardeous to peoples health, therefore as the Public Health Ministry, shouldnt they be publishing their findings on said pasta...seeing as one assumes this is one of their job functions as a public health ministry ?

True, if they are doing their job correctly then they would name these pasta brands in the public interest.

Before I believe anything they say I would like to hear from other independent inspectors. In a country full of corruption, lies, deceit and scams it is just a little hard to believe anything they say. Trust me I am a THAI Government official.

[Soutpeel]

Grains, and anything produced from grains, contain, and are always allowed a certain amount of contaminants. This is worldwide.

Different countries allow different levels.

Of course...but the esteemed health ministry appears to be inferring that there is pasta being imported into Thailand which is their opinion is hazardeous to peoples health, therefore as the Public Health Ministry, shouldnt they be publishing their findings on said pasta...seeing as one assumes this is one of their job functions as a public health ministry ?

True, if they are doing their job correctly then they would name these pasta brands in the public interest.

Before I believe anything they say I would like to hear from other independent inspectors. In a country full of corruption, lies, deceit and scams it is just a little hard to believe anything they say. Trust me I am a THAI Government official.

the other thing...considering the production levels of rice is 33 samples tested truely a representative statisitcal sample anyway ?....one thinks not....

[Ricardo]

and found no toxins or chemicals

but then goes on to say ...

a small amount of methyl bromide and phosphine used in the production process was detected in the samples

and also ...

a small amount of animal fur, insect parts and live weevils were found in a very small part of the samples

so that's alright then, and absolutely clear, the poo-yais are in-charge and on-top-of-things and have spoken.

This must be some new definition of the words "no toxins or chemicals", which I'd previously not been aware of ?

Edited July 13, 2013 by Ricardo

[deecee10]

Perhaps there is just a grain or two of truth in the story?

[kurnell]

I'd believe a messed up junkie before a senior Thai official any day

[Payboy]

a small amount of animal fur, insect parts and some live weevils were found in a very small amount of the samples

What's the statistical probability of finding a large amount of said contamination in a large amount of samples then?

[Soutpeel]

a small amount of animal fur, insect parts and some live weevils were found in a very small amount of the samples

What's the statistical probability of finding a large amount of said contamination in a large amount of samples then?

Not problem...just Thai rice with added protein thats all.. LOL

[jaltsc]

"Niphon said yesterday the foreign substances found were far too negligible to be hazardous to health, unlike some imported pasta."

So, the Public Health Ministry, by its own admission, allows imported hazardous food products to be sold to and consumed by the Thai populace. The profits from those food products go into foreign pockets. So, why wouldn't they do the same for Thai food products when the profits go into the pockets of those who control the funding of the politicians who control the ministry itself?

Edited July 13, 2013 by jaltsc

[chooka]

"Niphon said yesterday the foreign substances found were far too negligible to be hazardous to health, unlike some imported pasta."

So, the Public Health Ministry, by its own admission, allows imported hazardous food products to be sold to and consumed by the Thai populace. The profits from those food products go into foreign pockets. So, why wouldn't they do the same for Thai food products when the profits go into the pockets of those who control the funding of the politicians who control the ministry itself?

I think what he is saying is that Thailand has most stringent quality control procedures in the world.

[spermwhale]

You can't believe anything any Thai government agency says. You won't find anything detrimental about rice coming from them as they are glad to cover up deficiencies for the good of the industry.

[Ricardo]

"Dear supermarket-assistant, I'd like 5kgs of your own-brand 'methyl-bromide & phosphine & rat-fur & bug special-mix', with extra added rice, please, it's so yummy and healthy !"

[chooka]

You can't believe anything any Thai government agency says. You won't find anything detrimental about rice coming from them as they are glad to cover up deficiencies for the good of the industry.

What I can't understand is, if the rice is as good as they claim and virtually free of any contamination then why is it rotting and why can't they sell it?

[Tatsujin]

They're doing the "Thai" thing again ... repeat an untruth enough times and it becomes the truth in their minds and everyone should believe them.

What little credibility any Thai bureaucracy had (which wasn't much to begin with) has been lost completely in the last few years.

Edited July 13, 2013 by Tatsujin

[manzan]

"animal fur" and "insect parts" i guess that means rat fur and cockroach parts?

[chooka]

What they don't understand is that the international community is not as gullible as Thai's. They don't just accept that what they are told is fact and they need proof. Saying there a few weavels, rodent body parts and dropping in it is fine so dig in and enjo,y just doesn't cut it.

[Netizen]

The rice mountain is an embarrassment to Thailand. They can't sell it internationally below the price paid to millers because that would result in in protests to WTO by other countries and possibly penalties against Thailand for disruption of International markets.

The rice mountain is going to get a whole lot bigger because basic economics dictates that higher price causes increased production.

The rice will eventually have to be given away as foreign aid or buried at sea.

[Soutpeel]

The rice mountain is an embarrassment to Thailand. They can't sell it internationally below the price paid to millers because that would result in in protests to WTO by other countries and possibly penalties against Thailand for disruption of International markets.

The rice mountain is going to get a whole lot bigger because basic economics dictates that higher price causes increased production.

The rice will eventually have to be given away as foreign aid or buried at sea.

In reality there should be penalities applied against Thailand right now by the WTO et al.....the whole scheme was a effort to manipulate international market prices from the get go, nothing to do with helping "the farmers"

[Thai at Heart]

Grains, and anything produced from grains, contain, and are always allowed a certain amount of contaminants. This is worldwide.

Different countries allow different levels.

Of course...but the esteemed health ministry appears to be inferring that there is pasta being imported into Thailand which is their opinion is hazardeous to peoples health, therefore as the Public Health Ministry, shouldnt they be publishing their findings on said pasta...seeing as one assumes this is one of their job functions as a public health ministry ?

True, if they are doing their job correctly then they would name these pasta brands in the public interest.

Before I believe anything they say I would like to hear from other independent inspectors. In a country full of corruption, lies, deceit and scams it is just a little hard to believe anything they say. Trust me I am a THAI Government official.

They don't want to defame pasta.

[Thai at Heart]

You can't believe anything any Thai government agency says. You won't find anything detrimental about rice coming from them as they are glad to cover up deficiencies for the good of the industry.

What I can't understand is, if the rice is as good as they claim and virtually free of any contamination then why is it rotting and why can't they sell it?

If you sat still in the corner of a rice warehouse for 2 years and didn't take a wash, you would eventually go mouldy too.

[Netizen]

The rice mountain is an embarrassment to Thailand. They can't sell it internationally below the price paid to millers because that would result in in protests to WTO by other countries and possibly penalties against Thailand for disruption of International markets.

The rice mountain is going to get a whole lot bigger because basic economics dictates that higher price causes increased production.

The rice will eventually have to be given away as foreign aid or buried at sea.

In reality there should be penalities applied against Thailand right now by the WTO et al.....the whole scheme was a effort to manipulate international market prices from the get go, nothing to do with helping "the farmers"

How could manipulating the market by overproduction advantage Thailand or its farmers?

The market demand is inelastic in the short term which causes the international price to fall when supply increases causing the Thai government to lose even more than the initial subsidies. Thailand has not only shot itself in the foot but disrupted the market for itself and other producers which will also face lower prices.

The real beneficiaries of this disaster are those who have profited from corruption in the rice pricing scheme.

[slapout]

The live weevil,in packaged, on the shelf for sale to public rice, should end the entire debate about rice quality. As mentioned no real percentages are given, by the individual tasked with improving public confidence, 'this week'.

With the number of groups investigating missing rice, corruption, storage, handling, quality, quanity, etc whose finding are disputed by government spolesmen/women, its like a challenge to a duel, but nither side is to load their weapon.

[Doc46]

Whom done the testing,,,,Thai ?,,,,Say no more !!!!

[tigergrl]

what about arsenic?

[Thai at Heart]

33 samples? Whoopee. That's representative.

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

and found no toxins or chemicals

but then goes on to say ...

a small amount of methyl bromide and phosphine used in the production process was detected in the samples

and also ...

a small amount of animal fur, insect parts and live weevils were found in a very small part of the samples

so that's alright then, and absolutely clear, the poo-yais are in-charge and on-top-of-things and have spoken.

This must be some new definition of the words "no toxins or chemicals", which I'd previously not been aware of ?

Well, at least animal fur insect parts and live weevils don't count as "toxins or chemicals."

I actually look forward to my daily bowl of Thai rice enriched by a modest serving of animal fur, insect parts and live weevils... I hear the later is quite a good protein source...