ID :
293583
Sat, 07/20/2013 - 07:25
Auther :

PM reiterates Thai rice safe for consumption

BANGKOK, July 20 (TNA) - Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has reiterated that Thai rice is safe for consumption and that she has ordered the Public Health Ministry to accelerate on checking its quality in order to restore public confidence and avoid any negative impact which could hurt the country’s rice exports. Yingluck, also defence minister, said in her weekly TV and radio programme on Saturday that Thai rice is safe and free from chemical residue and if any problem is found, an inspection has to be made to verify whether the crux arises during production or transportation process. Complaints cannot just be made that Thai rice in packaging has a problem because they could impact people’s confidence as well as affecting the country’s exports of rice, she said, adding that she has ordered the Public Health Ministry to also conduct thorough inspection in an attempt to shore up confidence. Yingluck said she has gained confidence of the quality of Thai rice after her visit to Ayutthaya province this week to inspect rice mills including the private-run C.P. Intertrade Co., Ltd. She urged every food production plants in the country to also maintain quality of their products. Her assurance was made following reports on social networks that Thai rice is contaminated with chemical residue and is not safe for consumption. Touching on the mobile cabinet meeting in Ayutthaya on Friday, Yingluck said her cabinet ministers had followed up the government-sponsored rehabilitation programmes as well as on a plan to construct permanent floodwater barriers which could prevent flooding in the province in future. Ayutthaya, one of the major rice growing provinces in the country, is always confronted with severe flooding during the monsoon season. (TNA)

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