The Ministry of Agriculture and Forests has shared in a press release that there is no cause for concern on the recent media reports on lead contamination in exported red rice to US.
The foreign media reported high levels of lead in rice from several countries including Bhutan ranging from six milligrams/kg to 12 milligrams/kg. These levels are reported to be 30 to 60 times higher than the tolerable limits.
The press release states that compared to other countries, the lead content in Bhutan samples lay at the lower end of the range.
The agriculture ministry says growing conditions in Bhutan do not support the possibility of lead contamination adding that the use of chemicals and fertilisers is limited, and comparatively the lowest in the world.
The Ministry says chances of industrial contamination of heavy metals in rice fields in Bhutan can be ruled out as the growing areas are in temperate valleys irrigated with rivers and that potential polluting industries lie along the southern belt.
The press release states the Ministry will carry out further tests to rule out the possibility of lead contamination and that local rice samples will be collected and tested for lead and other heavy metals contamination.
The Ministry also says that based on the results more detailed reports will be made available and appropriate action will be taken.
