Central team launches surprise inspection of ration rice quality in Kerala

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A central team has begun surprise inspections at Food Corporation of India (FCI) and National Food Security Act (NFSA) godowns, as well as at ration shops amid growing complaints about the declining quality of ration rice in the state. The team includes quality control officials from the Union Food Department and the FCI. The inspections will continue in the coming days.

Officials are checking whether rice is being distributed within the prescribed time limit and whether it is fit for consumption. Samples will be collected from every district and tested in laboratories. Action will be taken against those responsible if the rice fails the quality tests.

The inspection follows several recent incidents. Last month, worm-infested rice reached ration shops at Vazhakulam in Muvattupuzha and had to be taken back after people complained. In Kottayam, rice distributed to families was found to be adulterated with fine sand.

The Food Department had earlier received information that pesticides were being used on ration rice to keep it from getting infested when it lies in storage for long periods. There have also been cases in which low-quality rice from private mills was brought into godowns and good-quality rice was smuggled out in its place. Experts say a detailed examination can establish whether the rice being sold at ration shops is actually the stock supplied through the FCI.