Controversial Brazilian wheat found safe for consumption

The Ministry of Food claimed Wednesday that wheat imported from Brazil recently being not rotten or substandard was fit for human consumption.
The ministry in a statement on the day said it had carried out laboratory tests on wheat imported from Brazil and detected nothing to declare the same as 'rotten' or 'substandard'.
The government carried out laboratory tests following reports published in a section of media that wheat imported from Brazil was substandard and unfit for human consumption.
The government imported wheat from Brazil through open tender as per public procurement rules (PPR)-2008 from international outsourcing.
The ministry collected wheat samples from different districts through the deputy commissioners (DCs) and conducted tests on those and found the same alright.  
The wheat was received after 'positive' laboratory tests at the country's port.
"Sealed samples of wheat were collected from districts through DCs for conducting laboratory tests. The tests found nothing wrong with the wheat samples," the statement signed by a deputy secretary of the ministry said.
Food Minister Quamrul Islam termed the media reports baseless.  
He said deputy commissioners of 15 districts have already sealed the warehouses off where the wheat imported from Brazil was kept.
He said there is no scope of spreading falsehood in this regard as the government decided to import wheat from Brazil following a delay in the arrival of 2,50,000 tonnes of wheat from Ukraine.
He said on being informed about the poor quality of wheat, the authorities concerned cancelled the order for the remaining 100,000 tonnes of wheat.
The minister said even Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina had expressed grave concern over the issue and instructed taking necessary measures in this regard. The issue would be cleared soon, he said.
    talhabinhabib@yahoo.com