Thai govt urged to inspect rice for contamination

[webfact]

RICE SCHEME
Govt urged to inspect rice for contamination
PONGPHON SARNSAMAK,
SURIYAN PANYAWAI
THE NATION



Watchdog finds traces of Methyl Bromide in 34 samples, one of which exceeded FAO safe levels

BANGKOK: -- A consumer watchdog is calling on the government to inspect packaged rice after random tests found several samples to be tainted with high levels of methyl bromide, which is used to kill rice-eating bugs.

Meanwhile, three state agencies - the Agriculture Department, the Medical Sciences Department and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) - said they found no contamination in tests they conducted earlier.

Saree Ongsomwang, secretary-general for the Foundation for Consumers, said her agency had teamed up with the Bio Thai Foundation to collect 46 random samples of packaged rice sold under 36 brands to test for chemical substances, including methyl bromide, organophosphate, carbamate compounds and fungicide.

All samples, collected between June 19 and 27 from supermarkets, retail shops and department stores, were tested at an independent laboratory.

Tests found that 12 of the 46 samples were free of contamination, but traces of methyl bromide were found in 34 samples, of which one sample was found to have exceeded the safe level with 67.4 milligram per kilogram of the chemical. As per the United Nations' Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) codex, levels of methyl bromide in food should not exceed 50mg per kg.

"We do not intend to damage anybody's reputation. We just want to raise public awareness on the safety of packaged rice and urge related agencies to boost the standards," Saree said.

Meanwhile, Niphon Popattanachai, director-general of the Medical Sciences Department, said he had instructed officials to inspect the brands found to have been contaminated and check if these products have been registered with the FDA.

"People should not panic over the report as the contamination is still within safe limits," he said.

Previously, the department teamed up with the FDA to conduct tests on 54 samples of packaged rice and found very small traces of methyl bromide and no sign of any other related pesticides.

Separately, the Agriculture Department tested 10 brands of rice and found no contamination.

A representative of the packaged rice brand that was found to have high levels of methyl bromide said his firm would recall all tainted products from the market, but wanted the Foundation for Consumers to provide them with more details such as lot numbers. He said he would conduct further investigation.

"No related agencies have said anything about the health impacts of consuming rice with high levels of methyl bromide," he said, adding that he was not thinking of filing a lawsuit against the foundation yet.


-- The Nation 2013-07-17

[Gsxrnz]

Ouch!! Didn't the British army put bromide in the tea of the soldiers to dampen their sexual desires? Think I'll stay off the rice for a while.

[kurnell]

I think I'll buy some Aussie rice until this blows over...in a couple of years.

[Soutpeel]

Suppose Yingluck is going to sue and take legal action against the Nation for spreading rumours ?

[NongKhaiKid]

If the government decides to respond beyond claiming testing has already been done and nothing untoward found they will simply arrange another contrived photo op showing " testing " being done then announce another clean bill of health.

YL and her government are in problems with rice well over their heads and have defended the scheme at every turn, it's too late for them to start admitting anything at all is wrong. Apart from losing face it's just not their style.

[Robby nz]

"No related agencies have said anything about the health impacts of consuming rice with high levels of methyl bromide," he said, adding that he was not thinking of filing a lawsuit against the foundation yet.

Isnt it wonderful, if you find that our product is contaminated we will seriously think of filing a lawsuit against you.

Surely it should be the other way round, if you are selling contaminated products we will sue you.

[chooka]

Looks like they are in big trouble. People were warned by the government not to say the rice is contaminated. You meddling people have tarnished the reputation of Thailand and the rice industry. Who is that knocking at your door?

[NongKhaiKid]

"No related agencies have said anything about the health impacts of consuming rice with high levels of methyl bromide," he said, adding that he was not thinking of filing a lawsuit against the foundation yet.

Isnt it wonderful, if you find that our product is contaminated we will seriously think of filing a lawsuit against you.

Surely it should be the other way round, if you are selling contaminated products we will sue you.

They could take a leaf out of a certain personality's book and smack the shit out of them first then go for defamation.

[Bluespunk]

"No related agencies have said anything about the health impacts of consuming rice with high levels of methyl bromide," he said, adding that he was not thinking of filing a lawsuit against the foundation yet.

Yet being the operative word. Didn't the govt say just this week they had tested most rice brands on sale and found no chemicals likely to cause harm in those tested? Yet this group finds the majority are contaminated, no doubt the govt will soon be prosecuting for spreading rumours. After all, yingluck didn't say the rumours have to be untrue, just damaging and as we all know, the truth hurts.

Edited July 17, 2013 by Bluespunk

[NongKhaiKid]

All joking aside this government is going down a very dangerous and dictatorial road with their idea of so called free speech being " say what you like but if we don't like... ! " They'll need to set up a special court working 24/7 to handle all lawsuits brought by the government.

[bigbamboo]

Inspect rice for contamination?

How very dare you.

[Bluespunk]

As for the health risks

Two chemical agents are used for fumigation - Methyl Bromide and Phosphine. Both agents carry health risks from residues that may be present after the fumigation process has been completed. Methyl Bromide has the greatest risk factor as there is evidence that it causes damage to the genetic material in experimental animals which could play a role in the development of cancer(1)

Above taken from article on why Thai rice was inspected in the USA.

voices.yahoo.com/how-safe-thailands-sto...

[OzMick]

If an independent lab can find traces in 3/4 of samples tested, then I can only assume that the Agriculture Department, the Medical Sciences Department and the Food and Drug Administration (who said they found no contamination) were lying on government orders. Of course, that would be a white lie to prevent public loss of confidence.

[NongKhaiKid]

If an independent lab can find traces in 3/4 of samples tested, then I can only assume that the Agriculture Department, the Medical Sciences Department and the Food and Drug Administration (who said they found no contamination) were lying on government orders. Of course, that would be a white lie to prevent public loss of confidence.

Exactly, spot on. The same as the strenuous denial of bird flu for a month to protect chicken exports.

[robblok]

If an independent lab can find traces in 3/4 of samples tested, then I can only assume that the Agriculture Department, the Medical Sciences Department and the Food and Drug Administration (who said they found no contamination) were lying on government orders. Of course, that would be a white lie to prevent public loss of confidence.

Exactly, spot on. The same as the strenuous denial of bird flu for a month to protect chicken exports.

Maybe they meant that what they found was within the limits as only one sample was above safe limits. Not defending the government here but it is strange.

[OzMick]

If an independent lab can find traces in 3/4 of samples tested, then I can only assume that the Agriculture Department, the Medical Sciences Department and the Food and Drug Administration (who said they found no contamination) were lying on government orders. Of course, that would be a white lie to prevent public loss of confidence.

Exactly, spot on. The same as the strenuous denial of bird flu for a month to protect chicken exports.

Maybe they meant that what they found was within the limits as only one sample was above safe limits. Not defending the government here but it is strange.

Could it be that that would be too hard to explain to government supporters? I can only suppose that "safe limits of contamination" doesn't appear in the school syllabus.

[robblok]

If an independent lab can find traces in 3/4 of samples tested, then I can only assume that the Agriculture Department, the Medical Sciences Department and the Food and Drug Administration (who said they found no contamination) were lying on government orders. Of course, that would be a white lie to prevent public loss of confidence.

Exactly, spot on. The same as the strenuous denial of bird flu for a month to protect chicken exports.

Maybe they meant that what they found was within the limits as only one sample was above safe limits. Not defending the government here but it is strange.

Could it be that that would be too hard to explain to government supporters? I can only suppose that "safe limits of contamination" doesn't appear in the school syllabus.

Just saying that this might be not that much of a difference of the rice we normally have. It is good that there are checks like this but as long as it is within safe limits set by a non Thai organisation then even I as an anti government person is satisfied.

Of course if there are more samples like that contaminated one well above levels then we got a problem and they should check that one more now that they have found the contaminants.

Actually they should check a lot more then 64 samples.

[tomross46]

If an independent lab can find traces in 3/4 of samples tested, then I can only assume that the Agriculture Department, the Medical Sciences Department and the Food and Drug Administration (who said they found no contamination) were lying on government orders. Of course, that would be a white lie to prevent public loss of confidence.

Could it be that the government test labs have not had their equipment calibrated, in accordance with international standards, ISO 14000. Could it be that these government test labs need rectification to ensure they meet international standards. The Ministry of Industry has the Thailand Internal Standards Institute, ( TISI ), which maintains the standards for Thailand. In many cases it is recommended to verify the test results be using an external certified testing lab.

[whybother]

Tests found that 12 of the 46 samples were free of contamination, but traces of methyl bromide were found in 34 samples, of which one sample was found to have exceeded the safe level with 67.4 milligram per kilogram of the chemical. As per the United Nations' Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) codex, levels of methyl bromide in food should not exceed 50mg per kg.

"We do not intend to damage anybody's reputation. We just want to raise public awareness on the safety of packaged rice and urge related agencies to boost the standards," Saree said.

We don't want to damage anybody's reputation. Instead we will damage everyone's reputation. We won't tell you which sample exceeded safe levels, so you will have to just stop eating all Thai rice, just in case.

[robblok]

Tests found that 12 of the 46 samples were free of contamination, but traces of methyl bromide were found in 34 samples, of which one sample was found to have exceeded the safe level with 67.4 milligram per kilogram of the chemical. As per the United Nations' Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) codex, levels of methyl bromide in food should not exceed 50mg per kg.

"We do not intend to damage anybody's reputation. We just want to raise public awareness on the safety of packaged rice and urge related agencies to boost the standards," Saree said.

We don't want to damage anybody's reputation. Instead we will damage everyone's reputation. We won't tell you which sample exceeded safe levels, so you will have to just stop eating all Thai rice, just in case.

Yes Crazy Thailand, just tell us who went far over the limit so we know the others are safe. That is the only way to teach them to do a better job. But these idiot defamation laws over here hold them back.

[gabruce]

If an independent lab can find traces in 3/4 of samples tested, then I can only assume that the Agriculture Department, the Medical Sciences Department and the Food and Drug Administration (who said they found no contamination) were lying on government orders. Of course, that would be a white lie to prevent public loss of confidence.

Exactly, spot on. The same as the strenuous denial of bird flu for a month to protect chicken exports.

or perhaps they tested twice. The first , unofficial, round was to identify uncontaminated rice. The second was to submit the uncontaminated rice for official testing. Easy!

[monty1412]

but wanted the Foundation for Consumers to provide them with more details such as lot numbers. He said he would conduct further investigation.

Now doesnt that give you confidence about the packaging folks and their ongoing QC program...

[bushwacker]

I wonder what the relationship between government stability and economic health is when the Thai people cannot eat rice and the world will not buy it?

[OzMick]

If an independent lab can find traces in 3/4 of samples tested, then I can only assume that the Agriculture Department, the Medical Sciences Department and the Food and Drug Administration (who said they found no contamination) were lying on government orders. Of course, that would be a white lie to prevent public loss of confidence.

Could it be that the government test labs have not had their equipment calibrated, in accordance with international standards, ISO 14000. Could it be that these government test labs need rectification to ensure they meet international standards. The Ministry of Industry has the Thailand Internal Standards Institute, ( TISI ), which maintains the standards for Thailand. In many cases it is recommended to verify the test results be using an external certified testing lab.

Calibration is to increase accuracy of measurement. Out-of-calibration should still detect a contaminant, but give a false reading of quantity (AFAIK).

[thhMan]

In some countries they inspect batches of dog food while on the production line to make sure it falls within certain guidelines.

[Thai at Heart]

If an independent lab can find traces in 3/4 of samples tested, then I can only assume that the Agriculture Department, the Medical Sciences Department and the Food and Drug Administration (who said they found no contamination) were lying on government orders. Of course, that would be a white lie to prevent public loss of confidence.

Exactly, spot on. The same as the strenuous denial of bird flu for a month to protect chicken exports.

Maybe they meant that what they found was within the limits as only one sample was above safe limits. Not defending the government here but it is strange.

The odd thing is they are talking about Codex. I am not sure if those are above or below US FDA or EU import limits. But, quoting Codex as the be all and end all for pesticide residues isn't necessarily the case.

[drdoom6996]

As for the health risks

Two chemical agents are used for fumigation - Methyl Bromide and Phosphine. Both agents carry health risks from residues that may be present after the fumigation process has been completed. Methyl Bromide has the greatest risk factor as there is evidence that it causes damage to the genetic material in experimental animals which could play a role in the development of cancer(1)

Above taken from article on why Thai rice was inspected in the USA.

voices.yahoo.com/how-safe-thailands-sto...

I saw DDT being sprayed on the fields. Actually saw the container. I'm a little worried about that as well.

[Bluespunk]

As for the health risks

Two chemical agents are used for fumigation - Methyl Bromide and Phosphine. Both agents carry health risks from residues that may be present after the fumigation process has been completed. Methyl Bromide has the greatest risk factor as there is evidence that it causes damage to the genetic material in experimental animals which could play a role in the development of cancer(1)

Above taken from article on why Thai rice was inspected in the USA.

voices.yahoo.com/how-safe-thailands-sto...

I saw DDT being sprayed on the fields. Actually saw the container. I'm a little worried about that as well.

So am I now.

[Dukeleto]

clownville

[webfact]

UPDATE:
Thai FDA to conduct random checks of packaged rice
By English News

BANGKOK, July 17 – The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will randomly check packaged rice at packaging plants in 10 provinces in the Northeast and Central region to ensure safety for consumers, a senior official said.

FDA deputy secretary general Srinuan Korrakochakorn said some of the packaging factories might have not followed FDA instructions on food safety.

Ms Srinuan said FDA officials will check the quality of the rice following information revealed yesterday by the Foundation for Consumers (FFC) that packaged rice from some brands contained 0.9-67 ml/kg of methyl bromide residue.

One brand, Co-co (Pimpa white rice), was found to have 67.4 ml/kg of methyl bromide, which is above the 50 ml/kg international food standard limit set by the Codex Alimentarius Commission (Codex), she quoted the FFC as saying.

FFC secretary general Saree Ongsomwang said earlier that disclosing the information on chemical residue in rice was aimed at protecting Thailand's consumers.

She said tests of 46 brands of packet rice, jointly conducted with the BioThai Foundation and the research centre of Chalard Sue (Smart Buy) magazine, did not find chemical residue in 12 brands or 26.1 per cent, but methyl bromide at the level of 0.9-67 ml/kg was found in 34 brands, or 73.9 per cent of the packaged rice which was tested.

The tests found no organophosphate or cabarmate insecticide and fungicides residue in any of the 46 brands, she said.

Ms Saree said 12 brands were found to be chemical free while five brands contained residue above 25 ml/kg but below the international standard of 50 ml/kg.

The remaining brands were found to have residue at 41 ml/kg, 29.5 ml/kg, 28.9 ml/kg, 27.6 ml/kg and 27.5 ml/kg levels. (MCOT online news)


-- TNA 2013-07-17