2 replies to this topic

[Laura982]

Hi All 

 

We are using basmati rice in our products and working towards our BRC audit. As we only use basmati rice and no other rice do we need to verify anything?

[Tony-C]

Hi Laura,

 

You will need to verify that you are indeed purchasing Basmati rice.

 

BRCGS Guidance: 'It is the responsibility of the site to make reasonable checks to ensure that the raw materials supplied are genuine and that claims made about ingredients are proven.'

 

Kind regards,

 

Tony

 

[GMO]

I was about to type the same.

The claim on pack is two fold. Firstly, are you buying what you think you are? And basmati fraud is not uncommon. Secondly are you at risk of not complying with the claim due to deliberate or accidental mispacking on site. The latter is no risk so that's great. (But make sure you record it.)

 

Buyer beware: the rise of food fraud | New Scientist

Counterfeit basmati rice has been detected in Varieties Of Basmati Rice.

Protecting Authentic Basmati: UK Enforces Rice Authenticity Standards | Bangor University

View of Basmati Rice Fraud under the Magnifying Glass of DNA Analysis

Four arrested as part of FSA food crime investigation | Food Standards Agency

Basmati rice authenticity testing - Eurofins Scientific

 

Looks like DNA testing for basmati is available. I'd be considering doing some testing of my inbound supply at an appropriate frequency (e.g. the Eurofins link above) and I'd tell my supplier I was doing that and they wouldn't be informed first. You know why...