In a recent raid on a facility in Barka, a team from the Consumer Protection Administration in Barka seized 22 tonnes rotten rice being packed for sale.
The team also seized machines and tools used in packaging the rice. Several expatriate workers packing the rotten rice were also rounded up. The rotten rice was packed with new production and expiry dates to be sold to restaurants and catering companies, said Ahmed bin Saleh al Zadjali, director of the Consumer Protection Administration in Barka.
“During interrogation, the accused admitted to tampering with dates, storing rice packets in unhygienic conditions and selling them to restaurants.” Zadjali added that the rice had become discoloured and had a foul smell.
“We sent samples from the seized packets to the laboratory in the Directorate General for Regional Municipalities and Water Resources in South Batinah and found the rice to be unfit for human consumption. Lab tests showed the presence of fungi in the samples.” Packets were also seized from the places where batches of this rice had been supplied.
Source: MuscatDaily