According to Thai media news, recently, Thailand's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Commerce Putang took the lead in personally tasting the ten-year-old rice left over from the Yingluck era, insisting that it is still edible and will be exported to Africa, which has attracted widespread attention and discussion.
On May 12, Thai media reported that the account of the Rice Research Center of Kasetsart University said that if the rice is stored correctly under the best conditions, the rice that has been stored for 10 years may also be safe. However, there are still many factors that should be considered before consumption, such as storage conditions that can lead to a decrease in the quality of the rice, and it is important to know if the rice has insects or mold before consumption.
In addition, there is the issue of nutritional value, because even if it is stored well, it can still affect the nutritional value of rice for a longer period of time. At the same time, it is also important to consider the state after cooking, the chemical residues in storage and the mycotoxins produced during the process, which can be harmful to health and have an impact on consumers without even realizing it. Even the toxic substances in it can cause symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, difficulty breathing, and in severe cases, death.
Therefore, based on the reasons obtained by the scholars of the above-mentioned institutions, the Thai government should reconsider the 10-year old rice consumption policy and provide researchers with the opportunity for comprehensive assessment and safety testing, so as to propose a beneficial way to consume this batch of rice. In this way, consumers will not be negatively affected and will not damage Thai Rice's reputation as "the best standard rice in the world".