The Food and Drugs Board (FDB) has destroyed a consignment of 6000 bags of 50kg Pakistani Long Grain White rice found to be fumigated with high concentration Aluminum Phosphide, a 57 percent poisonous compound which can pose serious public health and safety concerns. The contamination is due to heavy weevil infestation resulting in the residual fumigant which is very dangerous. The consignment which was on board an M/V KIMONA and freight forwarded by Supermaritime Ghana Limited in Takoradi, had no manufacturers’ name and address, expiry date and batch numbers. Analysis conducted by the Ghana Standards Board on the said rice confirms that the rice is unwholesome for both human and animal consumption leading to the destruction at the Esipong Dumping Site in Takoradi after it has been quarantined in Safe bond Warehouse at the Takoradi Port. The fumigant found in the rice has both acute and chronic health hazards on the eye, skin, poisoning of the central nervous system, gastrointernal tract, cyanosis, unconsciousness and can even cause death. Ingestion of Aluminum Phosphide can be fatal while the dust from it can irritate and burn eyes while mild exposure causes malaise, ringing of ears, fatigue, nausea, pressure in the chest. Moderate poisoning can cause weakness, vomiting, and pain above the chest, diarrhea and difficulty in breathing but severe poisoning may cause fluid in the lungs, dizziness, unconsciousness and death. The Food and Drugs Board wishes to assure the general public of its readiness to enforce its mandate of ensuring public health and safety. Source: B&FT