Source: Chronicle News Service
Senapati, November 05 2021: Days after report of distribution of plastic rice from FCI warehouse, Senapati went viral on the social media, Food Safety Department Senapati has clarified that there is no issuance of plastic rice by the department.
According to the clarification issued by Food Safety and Standard Authority of India (FSSA1), it is the natural phenomenon of rice to burn since it is a complex carbohydrate and since rice is 80 per cent starch.
It has cohesive and adhesive properties and when the rice is cooked and transformed into ball, the air gets entrapped and becomes bouncy like a ball.
Thus, it should be ruled out that the rice contain plastic, it said.
The clarification was made on Friday after Naga People's Organisation (NPO) Senapati called an emergency meeting on the matter with the district CSOs including Senapati District Women's Association (SDWA), Senapati District Students' Association (SDSA) and United Senapati Block Association (USBA) comprising village chairmen.
It was also attended by officials from FCI, Food Safety Administration and the CAF & PD, Senapati.
The meeting reportedly had a long deliberation and examined the alleged plastic rice that was issued from the FCI Godown for the nonth of October.
As per complaint received from Khamsom and Khabung Karong villages under Senapati district the rice consignment contained suspected plastic rice in monthly allocation under NFSA.
The samples were reportedly collected by the Food Safety Administration; Senapati and sent to State Food Testing Laboratory for testing.
During the meeting, the United Senapati Block Association (USBA) also noted that each beneficiary under NFSA (AAY & PHH) has been receiving 5 kg rice monthly till date.
The Food Safety Administration, Senapati also urged the general public to put up any suspected food poisoning, food adulteration, etc, to the department concerned before posting it on the social media.