Thai govt urged to inspect rice for contamination

[puipuitom]

I was wondering what the shelf life of rice was with out all the heat and humidity. People myself included have been talking one year old no good.

I am very sure there are a lot of safe storage buildings here in Thailand from before it became big money. I was wondering about their shelf life.

Also in a proper storage building what is the damage caused by rats and their feces? I don't think you could stop the rats from getting in to any place they want to get into.

[Even into Government]

see several publications on Internet, e.g. http://www.buzzle.com/articles/shelf-life-of-rice.html or http://www.knowledgebank.irri.org/rkb/index.php/storage

Rice is a food item that has a considerably long shelf life, provided you store it appropriately. Depending upon the storage factors, it may range anywhere between 1 year to 30 years!

But.. are you convinced all storage in TH is on perfect condition ? ?

I am buying rice in TH since 1977 as central buyer of Aldi and since 1995 as my own tropifood trading co.

I have seen all, from too dirty even to touch your shoos anymore till.. gold olympic medal.

That's why I ask for: bacteriological data ( total plate count, Bacillus cereus, Clostridium perfringens, E coli, Enterobacteriaceae , Salmonella spp), years & mould ( max 200 and NOT 1000 as present many in TH), and.. most important of all: aflatoxine B1 +B2 +G1 +G2.

What is the Shelf Life of Rice

The shelf life of rice depends on a number of factors. The various storage factors that influence it are as follows:

Temperature

Temperature is the most crucial storage factor, which decides the shelf life of rice. Ideally, rice should be stored at 70 degrees F, in cool, dry place. As per USDA guidelines every 5.6 degrees C drop in temperature, doubles the shelf life of dry food items like rice. Similarly every 5.6 degree C increase in temperature halves the shelf life of rice.

Moisture Content

The lesser the moisture content in rice, the better its chances of having a long shelf life. Rice has about 10% moisture content in it. Ideally you should remove all the moisture from the rice, if you wish to store it for a long time. However, practically this is not possible, hence, make sure the content of moisture in rice is bare minimum. Moisture promotes the growth of insect larvae, which renders the rice inedible, even though it is not 'bad' in real sense. Placing dry ice in the container containing rice helps to absorb the excess moisture in rice.

Atmosphere Inside the Container

Rice should be stored in the containers that are free of oxygen. Oxygen creates favorable thriving conditions for all sort of life forms. Even the airtight containers that are available in the market do not assure 100% oxygen free air. Oxygen absorber packets are a more reliable option as they completely prevent the entry of oxygen in the storage container.

Storage Containers

The material of the storage container also determines the shelf life of rice. The storage containers that are suitable for storing rice for longer shelf life are #10 cans, sealable food storage buckets, sealable food quality metal or plastic drums. Plastic sacks, paper sacks are definitely not a good option, if you wish to store rice for a long duration. Again, oxygen absorbing storage containers are undoubtedly the best option for storing rice.

Rice Variety

Shelf life also depends upon the variety of rice. For instance, shelf life of white rice, stored under average conditions is 18 to 24 months, while the shelf life of brown rice stored in the same condition is 6 months only. Brown rice tends to spoil more quickly due to an extra bran layer upon it.

How to Know if the Rice is Fit for Consumption

As evident from the above information, rice has quite a long shelf life. However, one must still know if the rice that has been stored for long is fit for human consumption. If you detect the presence of rice weevil, a small reddish brown bug, then you can be assured that the rice in question is not fit for human consumption. Brown rice is easier to check for quality, as it emits rancid odor and changes appearance over time. Lastly, take cues from the color, odor and texture of the stored rice. If all seems fine, then you may go ahead with using it.

With proper storage techniques, you can enjoy your bag of rice for several years. Do not forget to repack the container after use, so that you do not introduce moisture or oxygen in it.

By Ashwini Kulkarni Sule

Last Updated: 3/22/2012

Uncooked Rice see http://www.menurice.com/all-about-rice/using-rice-in-foodservice/storage

As with many dry goods, uncooked rice should be stored in a dry and cool environment. Rice will absorb strong aromas, so it is very important to store rice far away from foods such as onions or garlic. Keeping rice in securely sealed containers keeps out unwanted moisture and eliminates the risk of infestation.

Brown rice, because of the oil content in the attached bran, aleurone and germ, is susceptible to oxidation. As a result, brown rice has a shelf life of only six months. Keeping brown rice in a refrigerator or cooler will extend the shelf life. White rice, if stored properly, has an almost indefinite shelf life.

Milled rice (white, parboiled or pre-cooked) will keep almost indefinitely on the pantry shelf. Once opened, rice should be stored in a tightly-closed container that keeps out dust, moisture and other contaminants.

[Robby nz]

I would suspect that the first lot of rice that was stored would have gone into the best storage silos, that is the rice that is still in storage from the scheme of the TRT GOVT.

The rice from the latest round of pledging would have been put in the next best and so on down to wherever there is left to put it.

Given the previous info posted that would mean that almost nothing is really fit to eat except the new seasons crop.

What the packaging CO's are buying and putting into their products, who knows.

[Thai at Heart]

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

quote

"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."

From first hand experiences with Thai labs I would not trust the positive results that is causing this scare. Previously the Min of Agriculture tested samples and found no contamination. but this lab found contamination where other labs found none. First of all Methyl Bromide is a gas and evaporates quickly after the rice is fumigated it is unlikely therefore that package rice would have levels of Methyl Bromide that are harmful to humans. However:

Methyl Bromide is an ozone depleting substance and under the Montreal Protocol the production and consumption of Methyl Bromide was to cease by 2005. Countries like Thailand were however allowed to phase out its use by 2010. This is a fact which seems to have been totally lost to these Labs, the Media and Government Agencies.

Not sure I understand what you are saying here

"Methyl Bromide is an ozone depleting substance and under the Montreal Protocol the production and consumption of Methyl Bromide was to cease by 2005. Countries like Thailand were however allowed to phase out its use by 2010. This is a fact which seems to have been totally lost to these Labs, the Media and Government Agencies"

This is 2013 are you saying the rice tested and found to contain Methyl Bromide is from 2010 grown rice.

Also are you saying you trust the government labs who have an interest in the results over labs that have no vested interest other than the welfare of the public.

It is still approved for fumigation, but many industries stopped using it years ago and moved to phospine. It is a bit cheaper, hence of course, why inevitably it is still being used here. One cuirosity of its effect is that fumigating with methyl bromide will also kill bacteria and moulds, so I can see why they would use it, however, strangely, it is bacteria that break the stuff down, so, of course, the residues in packed rice can continue to rise and rise if it isn't adequately aerated.

Either way, what is important is how many times has this stuff been fumigated. If it is say twice and the PPMs are already at 25+, give it another 6 months, and it will be above the CODEX level, which means no shipment to just about anywhere. Then that will be a humongous problem. This stuff need to get shipped and fast.

Contaminated rice to be withdrawn from shelves

Pongphon Sarnsamak

BANGKOK: -- The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has ordered the manufacturer of CoCo-branded packed rice to recall its products from the shelves.

Do first there is no contamination. Then there is some, then product is withdrawn in a moment.

This is rice, ubiquitous everywhere that is unsafe. When was the last time anyone tested domestic vegetables, or chicken. The food supply chain is a mess.

[harryfrompattaya]

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?

The people that spread these rumors want to harm Thailand They should all be deported to England or Germany and suffer their

[Thai at Heart]

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?

The people that spread these rumors want to harm Thailand They should all be deported to England or Germany and suffer their

Diet lacking in Thai rice.

[xen]

Just yesterday my gf told me that one of our friends had bought rice that stank like petroleum ( probably using the word petroleum to describe a chemical stink) . They had to throw it out it smelt that much. Now it is hitting the common Thai and they don't know where they are going to get their rice. Are you going to trust the rice you get with your street food or will the chilli cover the taste and smell ?

[jpduggan]

I remember years ago in Britian they used to put bromide in the tea of prisoners to stop them getting randy. I'm curious to know if this stuff they're putting in the rice is a relation of that bromide. Anyone got any ideas?

[Robi Schwab]

NongKhaiKid, you're talking the utmost nonsense BULLSHIT under the sun and to top it all you're very well aware of this fact. If this excellent Government really displeases you so, why don't you do all of Thailand one big favor and thereby also PLEASE yourself. Do the CORRECT think by using your DEMOCRATIC RIGHT. Simply just pack you bags and MOVE elsewhere. Somewhere where there's a DECENT Government in your eyes. Try South Africa, I really think you'd fit in there just fine among those indigenes population there hey.

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.