Sofokrom (W/R) May 19, GNA - The Food and Drugs Board (FDB) on Tuesday

destroyed 6,000 bags of unwholesome imported rice, each weighing 50 kilograms, at the landfill site at Sofokrom near Takoradi.

Speaking to the press at the site, Mr. Solomon Agampim, Zonal Officer of the FDB in-charge of the Western and Central Regions, said the rice which was imported from Pakistan and destined for Burkina Faso was unwholesome for both human and animal consumption.

He said some 160,000 bags of the rice were imported by ETS Zidnaba Soulmane of Burkina Faso from Hassan Ali Rice Export Company of Pakistan and arrived at the Takoradi Port in June last year on transit by road to Burkina Faso.

Mr. Agampim said most of the rice evacuated to Burkina were found to be contaminated so the rest at the Takoradi Port were quarantined.

He said the destroyed rice were "Fumigated with high concentration of Aluminium Phosphide because of heavy weevil infestation resulting in residual fumigant which poses serious public health and safety concerns".

Mr. Agampim said the name and address of the manufacturer, the expiry date and the batch number were not indicated on the product as required by law. Analysis conducted by the Ghana Standards Board on the consignment confirmed that the rice was unwholesome for both human and animal consumption. It said Aluminium Phosphide (the fumigant) had both acute and chronic health hazards on the eyes, skin, central nervous system, gastrointestinal tract, poisoning of the central nervous system, cyanosis, unconsciousness and death.

"Indeed, ingestion can be fatal while the dust from it can irritate and burn eyes," it added.

The statement pointed out that mild exposure causes malaise, ringing of ears, fatigue, nausea, pressure in the chest; while moderate poisoning causes weakness, vomiting, pain above the chest, diarrhoea and difficulty in breathing.

It said severe poisoning might cause fluid in the lungs, dizziness, unconsciousness and death, and assured the public of its readiness to enforce its mandate of ensuring public health and safety. He called on the public the Police and the FDB when they find some of the rice on market for immediate action to be taken.