– containers returned to shipping line intact –GRDB

DAYS after some 70 metric tonnes of White “Cinderella” rice was seized by the Jamaican Industries, Agriculture and Fisheries Ministry, the Jamaican authorities have said that the onus is on the importer to make contact with the supplier of the rice to iron out the matter.
This was according to General Manager of the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB), Nizam Hassan, in an invited comment, yesterday (Wednesday, February 13, 2019).

Reports had surfaced that 70 metric tonnes of White Cinderella rice, valued at approximately US$4.6 million, was confiscated by Jamaica’s Industries, Agriculture and Fisheries Ministry, due to its poor quality.

According to the reports, a series of inspections carried out revealed that the grains had signs of mould, clumping, discoloration and moisture, resulting in the detention of the rice by a food storage inspector.

“The Jamaicans told us that the importer has to make contact with the supplier to discuss this, because they do not divulge information,” said Hassan.

The board has since reached out to the supplier, who said the rice was returned to his shipping line in Jamaica.

“We have been checking with the supplier and he said none of his buyers had any problems with the rice, and it was even sent back to the shipping line intact and with no problems,” said Hassan, adding that the Jamaica Government is reluctant to divulge any further information to the GRDB.

Although the rice shipment was confiscated by the Jamaican authorities, the supplier was paid in full for his rice

In light of the conflicting contentions, the GRDB intends to thoroughly investigate the matter.

According to a recent report from the Department of Public Information (DPI), Deputy General Manager of the GRDB, Allison Peters, said the certificate for testing of any rice was accredited by the Jamaican National Agency for Accreditation (JNAAC) and it was the fourth year that the board had been accredited by that body.

She pointed out that before rice leaves Guyana it is put through rigorous testing, both at the central laboratory and before being loaded for export. However, in transportation and subsequent storage of the product, the GRDB has no control over how the rice is handled.
“A product leaves Guyana, it just does not arrive in another country; there is some form of conveyance that takes it from point A to point B. Our certificate proves that the rice left here in good order,” said Peters in the DPI report.