East Khasi Hills Deputy Commissioner Isawanda Laloo has informed that the rice suspected to be mixed with plastic rice and seized by the Supply Department of the district on June 23 from a shop in the city was found to be safe for human consumption after laboratory analysis conducted.
It may be mentioned that following a complaint by the KSU in June that ‘Tripal Five Rice Brand’ sold by Triveni Store at Jeep Stand here is mixed with plastic rice, 68 bags of the rice were seized and sealed by the Superintendent of Supply, East Khasi Hills.
Sample of the rice was taken by the Assistant Commissioner of Food Safety by following the cross-sections method for laboratory analysis.
The Assistant Commissioner of Food Safety intimated of the action taken after seizure, wherein samples as per prescribed sampling procedures were taken which include one surveillance sample and one formal sample.
One part of the formal sample of rice taken was dispatched to the analysts at State Public Health Laboratory, Bamunimaidan, Guwahati on June 25 for analysis, while one surveillance sample was dispatched to State Food Testing Laboratory, Pasteur Institute, Shillong.
According to Laloo, analysis report of the surveillance sample was received and submitted to her office on August 26 which stated that the sample rice conforms to the prescribed standard as per FSS regulation, as 44 numbers of pesticides (tested by GCMS/MS) and seven numbers of pesticides (tested by LCMS/MS) “are found not detected, not adulterated and is fit for consumption on the basis of analysis of the parameters mentioned”.
“Analysis report of formal sample was received and submitted to this office on September 10, 2021. As per the report, the rice conforms to the prescribed standards as laid down in relevant Regulation of Food Safety and Standard (Food Products Standards and Additives) Regulations, 2011 and FSS (Contaminants, Toxins and Residues) Regulations, 2011. As per the reports received above, the said rice has been ordered for re-release,” Laloo said.
