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Thursday, April 18, 2019

Ivory Coast destroys 18,000 tonnes of dangerous Myanmar rice











Ivory Coast


Health officials in Ivory Coast on Wednesday destroyed tonnes of rice that had been declared unfit for human consumption, the BBC Africa Live page reports.
Its point of origin was Myanmar, formerly known as Burma. Photos showed officials transferring the said sacks into the back of a truck which pours it into a landfill site before a caterpillar spreads it on the site.
The shipment according to reports had been refused entry at different points across the West African coast. Ghana, Guinea and Togo had all rejected it over quality issues.
The consignment was finally allowed into Ivory Coast, upon unloading in Abidjan, quality control tests revealed the unfit nature of the goods.
Rice has become a staple food across much of Africa. But most countries depend on imports because local farmers are unable to meet the ever rising demands.

Countries across the West African Coast are important conduits for imports of products. Most of them also serve landlocked neighbours. A typical case in point being Ghana’s importance to Burkina Faso.
There has routinely been issues with the abuse of ports of entry with several reports pointing to the influx of especially drugs as a result of complicity and official corruption.


Ocean Princess is not Probo Koala: truths and lies about 18 thousand tons of Burmese rice in Ivory Coast

Was there really toxic rice landed at the Port Authority of Abidjan (PAA)? On what basis could it be concluded that the rice in question was toxic? Why despite assurances from stakeholders, has the rumor persisted? Is not this really a manipulation, or rather a commercial and judicial conflict, turned into allegations of toxic rice to win a possible trial, and to the detriment of the welfare of Ivorian consumers, and the integrity of the services concerned by the case in Côte d'Ivoire? Explanations between truths and lies!

Following warnings given by consumer associations concerning the Ocean Princess ship, the Ministry in charge of Trade, with responsibility for consumer protection, and the supervision of consumer associations, had immediately organized an explanation meeting and lighting with all consumer associations. 
 

INH report ocean princess 
 
[The boat has been refused in 5 countries? False. ] 
  
In a post on Facebook that also circulated on WhatsApp, Alain Tahi, President of a consumer federation (FACACI) - hinting that it would be toxic and dangerous products like those that had been transported by the ship Probo Koala - had stated that the unloading of rice by the ship Ocean Princess had been refused in 5 countries, without mentioning or specifying these countries. 
 
The last ports covered by the ship state this: 
 
- from 20 August 2018 to 14 September 2018: Yangon-Myamar Port (Burma) - Operation carried out: loading of rice 
- from 16 September 2018 to 11 October 2018: Kakinada Port-India - Operation carried out: loading of rice 
- from November 10, 2018 to December 2, 2018: Port of Guinea Conakry - Operation carried out: unloading of rice 
- from 22 December 2018 to 22 January 2019. Port of Lome - Operation completed: none 
- 1 March 2019 Tema Port - Operation completed: Inspection by Intertek 
 
 

[The reason for the first unloading ban at the Port of Lomé:] 
 
"Since the documentation provided by the vessel is not in conformity, our technical services can not carry out the phytosanitary inspection of the cargo in application of the phytosanitary regulations in force in Togo. As a result, the vessel is strictly forbidden to engage in unloading operations at the Autonomous Port of Lome, "the Togolese Minister of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries said in a letter to the Port DG. of Lome. 
 
The vessel had been banned from unloading for issues related to administrative paperwork. It was a technical problem of documentation. Initially, the ship had to unload in Guinea. So all the documents were shown for Guinea. Once the ship was diverted to Togo, it was necessary to issue new documentation from the country of origin (Burma) for the Port of Lome. 
 
Finally, on January 15, 2019, the Togolese administration authorizes the boat to unload and submit to sanitary controls 
 
On January 15, 2019, the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries of Togo sent another letter to the Director of the Autonomous Port of Lomé in which he informed him that "new documentation complying with the Phytosanitary inspection was provided on 14 January.Consequently, the technical services will be able to carry out the phytosanitary inspection and the quality control of the cargo "Cf mail 2 Minister to the DG of the Port. 
 
This explains the 02 letters. 
 
5 laboratories attested to the quality of the rice samples taken: 
1-the National Office of Quality Control in Guinea 
2-The National Institute of Hygiene of Togo 
3-The Togolese Institute of Agronomic Research 
4-SGS Togo 
5- INTERTEK Ghana 

 

[Unloading of all cargo] 
 
The procedures of the Autonomous Port of Abidjan comply with international standards in this area to meet the challenges of competitiveness and attractiveness. 
 
For a question of speed in port operations, phytosanitary control is not done on the ship. When a boat arrives, it presents its documents to the commander of the port. And it is on the basis of these documents, when they comply with the regulations and standards in force, that the boat is allowed to unload all its cargo. 
 
The M / V Ocean Princess came to Abidjan with all the originals of her documents on Abidjan, including the quality and phytosanitary certificates issued by an independent certification company of international renown. 
 
However, an unloading authorization is different from a marketing authorization. It is after unloading that the quality controls that are associated with customs clearance come into play. 
 
Neither the port of Conakry nor that of Lomé has alerted the port of Abidjan to the presence of a vessel carrying goods of dubious quality. In addition to Conakry, part of the Burmese rice cargo was unloaded (4000 MT). 
 


It was the Ivorian Ministry of Commerce that seized the Autonomous Port of Abidjan, asking it to submit the vessel exceptionally, to the program of verification of conformity (VOC). 
 
As the boat left her port of embarkation before 15 February 2019, (start of the VOC), it could not be submitted to the VOC. In any case, no customs procedure can begin until the results of the analyzes are presented. So although the rice has been landed, it is not yet on the market. It will only go on sale after extensive testing and testing, even if there is no indication that there is any danger. 
 
"In Abidjan, the Ivorian Ministry of Commerce does not intervene in the procedure of reception and unloading of ships. It does not issue any permits or participate in any inspection while unloading a vessel to the AAP. In the PAA, the phytosanitary control is ensured by the Ministry of agriculture which intervenes before the customs clearance of the goods. The phyto certificate issued by this ministry is an element of customs receivability. Whence comes this false allegation that Minister Souleymane Diarrasouba authorized the unloading of the vessel to the PAA. To date, despite rumors of allegations of poor quality of rice, no analysis results to this effect have been made available to the Ivorian administration, "a source told the Ivorian Ministry of Commerce. 
 
Asked about reports of a dispute between the exporter and the original customer to whom the rice was destined, the same source did not wish to react. This information indicates that the rice was to be completely unloaded in Conakry. But between the order date and the arrival date, the price of rice had dropped. The recipient therefore no longer wanted to take all the amount of rice.To protect himself, in the context of a possible trial by the Burmese supplier, the correspondent in Guinea, questioned the quality of the rice, despite the official documents of the Guinean structure responsible for certification, indicating that the rice is of satisfactory quality and fit for human consumption. 

Case to continue to follow .... 
 
Charles Kouassi

 



White rice grown in Arkansas, Louisiana, Missouri, and Texas, which account for 76 percent of domestic rice, generally had higher levels of total arsenic and inorganic arsenic in our tests than rice samples from elsewhere.
Our latest tests determined that the inorganic arsenic content of rice varies greatly depending on the type of rice and where it was grown. White basmati rice from California, India, and Pakistan, and sushi rice from the U.S. on average has half of the inorganic-arsenic amount of most other types of rice.

How Much Arsenic Is in Your Rice?

Consumer Reports' new data and guidelines are important for everyone but especially for gluten avoiders

 In late 2012 we released our original report on arsenic in rice, in which we found measurable levels in almost all of the 60 rice varieties and rice products we tested.

Our most recent testing and analysis gave us some new information on the risk of arsenic exposure in infants and children through rice cereal and other rice products. We looked at data released by the Food and Drug Administration in 2013 on the inorganic arsenic content of 656 processed rice-containing products. We found that rice cereal and rice pasta can have much more inorganic arsenic—a carcinogen—than our 2012 data showed. According to the results of our new tests, one serving of either could put kids over the maximum amount of rice we recommend they should have in a week. Rice cakes supply close to a child's weekly limit in one serving. Rice drinks can also be high in arsenic, and children younger than 5 shouldn’t drink them instead of milk. (Learn the new rice rules about weekly servings.) 


Related topics




In 2012, we recommended that babies eat no more than one serving of infant rice cereal per day, on average, and that their diets should include cereals made from other grains. We did not find any reason to change our advice based on our new analysis. When we shared our results with the FDA and asked for comment, the agency reiterated its recommendation that everyone, including pregnant women, infants, and toddlers, should eat a variety of grains. And they pointed out that parents should "consider options other than rice cereal for a child’s first solid food.”  

An image of test tubes with different kinds of rice and grains, each labeled with its specific advantages and disadvantages of possible lead contamination.

The Trouble With Arsenic

Arsenic has two chemical forms, inorganic and organic (the latter of which can be less toxic), and is naturally part of the minerals in the earth’s crust. (Note, here organic is a chemistry term and should not be confused with food sold as “organic.”) Arsenic also has been released into the environment through the use of pesticides and poultry fertilizer. (Chickens can be fed arsenic.) Therefore, it’s in soil and water. Rice tends to absorb arsenic more readily than many other plants.

Regular exposure to small amounts of arsenic can increase the risk of bladder, lung, and skin cancer, as well as heart disease and type 2 diabetes. Recent studies also suggest that arsenic exposure in utero may have effects on the baby’s immune system.

The USA Rice Federation says, "Studies show that including white or brown rice in the diet provides measureable health benefits that outweigh the potential risks associated with exposure to trace levels of arsenic." Consumer Reports food safety experts believe those levels do carry a risk.

There is no federal limit for arsenic in rice and rice products. (The FDA has proposed a "action level" for arsenic in juice.) Since 2012, Consumer Reports has been calling on the FDA to set one. The agency told us: "The FDA’s ongoing assessment of arsenic in rice remains a priority for the agency. Last year, the FDA released what we believe to be the largest set of test results to date on the presence of arsenic in rice and rice products, and we are planning to release a draft assessment of the potential health risks associated with the consumption of arsenic in these same foods." 



Learn more about Consumer Reports' work related to arsenic and food.


Answering Consumers' Questions

After our 2012 report, we got many questions. Two of the most common: “Are there any types of rice that are lower in arsenic?” and “Do other grains, such as quinoa, contain arsenic, too?” We now have the answers.

In addition to analyzing the FDA data on rice products, scientists at our Food Safety and Sustainability Center tested 128 samples of basmati, jasmine, and sushi rice for arsenic. We combined the data with the results of our 2012 tests and FDA data on arsenic in rice for a total of 697 samples of rice. We also looked at the inorganic arsenic levels in 114 samples of nonrice grains. (You can read the details of our testing in our full report.) 

Nicer Rices

Our latest tests determined that the inorganic arsenic content of rice varies greatly depending on the type of rice and where it was grown. White basmati rice from California, India, and Pakistan, and sushi rice from the U.S. on average has half of the inorganic-arsenic amount of most other types of rice.

Our findings led us to treat those specific rices from those areas differently from other types of rice and rices grown in other regions. Based on our data, we calculated that consumers could have about twice as many weekly servings as we previously recommended if that was the only rice or rice product someone ate. For adults, that adds up to 4½ servings per week; children could have 2¾ servings.

All types of rice (except sushi and quick cooking) with a label indicating that it’s from Arkansas, Louisiana, or Texas or just from the U.S. had the highest levels of inorganic arsenic in our tests. For instance, white rices from California have 38 percent less inorganic arsenic than white rices from other parts of the country.

Brown rice has 80 percent more inorganic arsenic on average than white rice of the same type. Arsenic accumulates in the grain’s outer layers, which are removed to make white rice. Brown has more nutrients, though, so you shouldn’t switch entirely to white. Brown basmati from California, India, or Pakistan is the best choice; it has about a third less inorganic arsenic than other brown rices.

Rice that’s grown organically takes up arsenic the same way conventional rice does, so don’t rely on organic to have less arsenic. 

Grains Lower in Arsenic

The gluten-free grains amaranth, buckwheat, millet, and polenta or grits had negligible levels of inorganic arsenic. Bulgur, barley, and farro, which contain gluten, also have very little arsenic. Quinoa (also gluten-free), had average inorganic arsenic levels comparable to those of other alternative grains. But some samples had quite a bit more. Though they were still much lower than any of the rices, those spikes illustrate the importance of varying the types of grains you eat. 

Cooking to Lower Arsenic Levels

You may be able to cut your exposure to inorganic arsenic in any type of rice by rinsing raw rice thoroughly before cooking, using a ratio of 6 cups water to 1 cup rice, and draining the excess water afterward. That is a traditional method of cooking rice in Asia. The modern technique of cooking rice in water that is entirely absorbed by the grains has been promoted because it allows rice to retain more of its vitamins and other nutrients. But even though you may sacrifice some of rice's nutritional value, research has shown that rinsing and using more water removes about 30 percent of the rice's inorganic arsenic content. 

The New Rice Rules: 7 Points per Week

We used our new data and analysis to assign a point value to types of rice foods. On average, we recommend getting no more than 7 points per week. Risk analysis is based on weight, so a serving of any food will give children more points than adults. 

PRODUCTSERVING SIZE

CHILD POINTS1

ADULT POINTS1

Infant Rice Cereal1/4 cup, uncooked1-1/4NA
Rice Cereal, Hot1/4 cup, uncooked8-1/43-1/2
Rice Cereal, Ready to Eat1 cup4-1/22-1/4
Rice Drinks1 cup42

White Basmati2 or Sushi Rice

1/4 cup, uncooked2-1/21-1/2
All Other Rice1/4 cup, uncooked5-1/23-1/2
Rice Pasta2 ounces, uncooked7-1/43
Rice Cakes1 to 3 rice cakes6-1/42-1/2
Rice Crackers16 to 18 crackers2-3/41-1/4
Cake or Muffin Mix2 to 3 ounces3-3/41-1/2
Brownie Mix1 to 2 ounces1-1/4

1/2

Cookies1 to 3 cookies1-3/43/4
Rice Puddingabout 1/3 cup1-3/43/4
Pie- or Pizza-Crust Mix2 ounces21

Snack Bars (Cereal, Granola, or Energy)

1- to 2-ounce bar2-3/41-1/4
2014 Consumer Reports. All rights reserved
  1. To afford the most protection, we used the arsenic levels at the highest end of the range in our analysis of each food.
  2. From California, India, or Pakistan


Myanmar earns US$440 M from rice export
A rice shop in Bayintnaung wholesale center (Photo-Zeya Nyein)
Myanmar is exported over US$440 million worth of about 1.3 million tons of rice and broken rice to 43 countries from April to early November in this fiscal year, according to Myanmar Rice Federation (MRF).
It earned US$242 million from over 680,000 tons of rice and broken rice through border trade centers and about US$200 million from about 600,000 tons of rice and broken rice through maritime trade.
It broke the record in fifty years time as Myanmar found new markets for its rice export in 2017-18 FY.
Myanmar earned over 70 per cent of its rice export from border trade routes and the rest were sent through maritime trade routes previously.
In 2017-18 FY, it earned over 48 per cent of its rice export through maritime trade routes.
Myanmar shifted its financial year from October 1, 2018 to September 30, 2019 in 2018-19 FY.
“The export amount may decrease in next fiscal year as rice traders exported paddy illegally to China in this year through the border. The MRF expected the maximum rice export will be 2 or 3 million tons in 2018-19 FY,” said Ye Min Aung, General Secretary of the MRF.

Myanmar: Capitalizing on Rice Export Opportunities
Image

Farm workers load sacks of rice into a truck that will take these to the market
KEY FINDINGS
  • There are good market prospects to accommodate higher rice exports from Myanmar over the next 10-15 years. China is becoming a large net importer of Myanmar rice, and the European Union has opened its markets for duty free imports from Myanmar.
  • Strong competition from other exporters in the region – Thailand, Vietnam and Cambodia - and constantly rising demand for the higher-quality rice has put pressure on Myanmar’s rice sector which has been focused on low-quality export markets.
  • The actual rice export has reached only about 1.3 million tons over the past years that lags behind the government’s target of exporting two million tons of rice this year and four million tons by 2020.
  • The most acute problems are low productivity and poor rice quality at the farm level. The average paddy yields of 2.5 tons per hectare are only half of those realized by other exporters in the region.
  • The milling sector operates with obsolete processing units that causes about 15-20 percent losses in quality and quantity during the milling.
  • Yangon Port, the main export gate, is small, outdated and with limited capacity during monsoons. The export procedure costs are some of the highest in the region.
  • Although many barriers to agricultural trade have been abolished, the private sector remains cautious about uncertainties in government actions.
RECOMMENDATIONS
In the short term
  • Provide more accurate market information to participants on production, consumption, exports, and prices in order to allow a smooth functioning of the rice market and enable more informed policy decisions.
  • Lift the rules limiting the maturity of commercial loans to 12 months, and broaden the type of assets that can be pledged as collateral in accessing credit.
  • Allow direct foreign investment to milling, warehousing and trading and remove the government approval from the investments made through joint ventures.
  • Avoid holding large government-owned stocks and using minimum farm prices in order to keep farm production costs competitive and prevent increases in food prices.
  • Enhance the predictability of trade policy. Export bans need to be avoided. Once issued, export licenses should not be canceled or subject to higher taxes.
  • Lower port charges and reduce export procedure costs. All export procedures and port costs should be revised with a view toward improving the competitiveness of Myanmar rice.
 In the long run
  • Update the existing seed management system and prepare a new national seed policy to make the seed industry more competitive. New rice varieties with higher export potential need to be adopted.
  • Strengthen public agricultural extension services and engage with the private sector to deliver appropriate and farmer-responsive technology.
  • Improve water management and engage farmers into decision making in order to respond to market opportunities and increase the rice production.
  • Reduce transport costs by investing in farm-to-market roads.
  • Strengthen land tenure security and increase investments into land development, transfer, and consolidation that are needed for farm commercialization.

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