Reading Scientific Services (RSSL) has developed a reliable DNA screening method for identifying adulteration of Basmati rice.
The method has been validated on all of the commercially available varieties of Basmati rice and has been designed to give suppliers and consumers confidence in the accuracy of product labelling.
The RSSL method can be used in two ways.
A basic version will identify the presence of any other non-Basmati rice present in the product, and will establish if the amount of Basmati achieves the minimum level of 93 per cent set by the EU Regulation 1549/04.
Then, for samples that are to be labelled as a single Basmati rice variety, the method can also be used to verify whether or not the declared Basmati rice is indeed the variety present.
The EU Commission Regulation 1549/04 defines nine Basmati varieties: Basmati 370, Dehradun (Type Three), Ranbir Basmati, Basmati 386, Super Basmati, Taraori, Kernel, Pusa Basmati and Basmati 217.
Other Basmati rice varieties approved by India, Pakistan, and the UK include Basmati 198, Basmati 385, Haryana Basmati, Kasturi, Mahi Suganda, and Punjab Basmati.
The RSSL method is based on DNA profiling and has been proven by taking part in a ring trial organised by the Food Standards Agency.
The method will give organisations involved in handling rice a quick and reliable means of authenticating their supplies.
