Dated: 19th May, 2017
GRDB Distances Itself From ‘Fake Rice’
The Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB) has noted with great concern the presence of video recordings being circulated of plastic rice and wish to make it clear that there has been no confirmation of plastic rice in our market.
The homemade video recordings being posted on social media, alleging to be plastic rice is labeled as “Product of Guyana”. The most recent case involves a video recording emanating from Trinidad & Tobago of packaged rice labeled “Product of Guyana”, Packaged for Naisa Brand Products Ltd. Trinidad”.
The Guyana Rice Development Board states categorically that no rice mill in Guyana produces artificial rice, and expresses grave concern about such rice being labeled “Product of Guyana”.
The GRDB is willing to facilitate any verification of rice being produced at rice mills in Guyana and will be monitoring the situation closely.
The Ministry of Agriculture informs the public that any reports of fake rice being present on the market or emanating from Guyana are wholly false.
The Minister of Agriculture Hon. Noel Holder has since been in contact with the relevant authorities in Trinidad and Tobago and a further update will be provided shortly.
Owing to the importance of Guyana’s market and commitments the country presently has, the Ministry of Agriculture hopes this fake report is an isolated incident.
