"Many Brits enjoy a curry served with a heap of fluffy white basmati rice, its delicate aroma balancing the heat of the dish. But few stop to think about the grain's long journey. From the paddy fields of India and Pakistan, through regional markets and rice mills, then matured for a year in silos before being shipped in bulk to the UK. It then passes through one of the country's 16 processing sites before reaching supermarket shelves."
"This summer, consumers got a glimpse of what happens when that supply chain goes wrong. Four people were arrested in late July after investigators found substandard rice being passed off as a well-known basmati brand. The National Food Crime Unit uncovered the fraud when tests showed the wrong type of rice inside premium-brand packets. The operation began in Leicester, where police arrested a man suspected of repackaging ordinary rice into counterfeit basmati bags. Three more arrests followed in London."
"Basmati is a prestigious grain, prized for its nutty flavour and popcorn-like aroma. Alongside jasmine from Thailand and Italy's arborio, it sits at the top of the speciality rice market. When shoppers buy a packet of basmati, they expect quality. If it falls short, they may feel cheated and think twice about buying that brand again. To prevent this, the UK operates strict rules under the basmati code of practice."
Many Brits eat basmati rice with curries, appreciating its delicate aroma and texture. The grain travels from paddy fields in India and Pakistan through regional markets and rice mills, is matured for a year in silos, shipped in bulk to the UK, and processed at one of 16 sites before retail. The UK imports about 250,000 tonnes annually. Supply-chain fraud emerged in summer when investigators found ordinary rice repackaged as a premium basmati brand, leading to four arrests. Basmati is prized for its flavour and aroma and is governed by a code of practice limiting non-basmati content to 7%.
Read at www.independent.co.uk
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