Food control

I refer to the item by Candidus II entitled Staple Food which appeared in the section On the Dot (January 22).

On September 1, 2006 the Scientific Committee on Food and Animal Health issued a circular to all member states informing them to intensify controls over the possible presence of genetically modified rice (LL601 Rice) originating from the USA.

On September 13, 2006 all brands and lot numbers of US origin rice available on the local market were sampled; these amounted to 28 samples from eight different brands. Nine samples out of these 28 were confirmed to contain the presence of GMOs and as a result the implicated lot numbers were recalled from the market and consumers informed accordingly through media adverts issued by the traders or a press release issued by the Department of Public Health.

Maltese health authorities are at present enforcing EU import control emergency measures requiring ad hoc certification for rice originating from the US. The health authorities are also sampling any such products.