Impurities Likely In Basmati Rice Selling in U.S. Markets

A DNA rice authenticity verification service in India has concluded that more than 30 % of the ‘Basmati Rice’ sold in the retail markets of the US and Canada has been found to be adulterated with inferior quality grains.

Acting in public interest, a survey on Basmati rice conducted by Ricesearch revealed that only 68 percent of the so-called Basmati Rice sold in the US and Canada is unadulterated.

Scientists have recently deciphered the rice genome allowing them to identify the "finger print" of individual rice grains and specific rice varieties.

European Union has already implemented DNA testing on imports of Basmati entering the European community since 2003.