Restaurants Can Now Check Authenticity of Basmati Rice

The Indian and ethnic restaurant trade could find itself coming under further scrutiny from Trading Standards Officials if moves by the Food Standards Agency to tighten controls on Basmati rice are enforced.

Currently sixteen varieties of rice have international approval to be described as Basmati. Rice from any one of these 16 species can be legitimately described as Basmati, although mixing of up to 20% with other species is currently accepted. But the FSA is campaigning for the permissible limit to be cut to just 7%, a move that could put restaurants under pressure to authenticate their supplies.

Scientists at Reading Scientific Services Ltd (RSSL) have developed a reliable DNA screening method for identifying adulteration in Basmati rice, which could help restaurateurs to ensure that they are trading legally. The test can also accurately identify individual species, so if the restaurant has made its name from using a 100% pure Basmati species, then the test can be used to protect its reputation.

According to Dr Andrew Tingey, head of the Molecular Biology laboratory at RSSL, "During the development of this testing methodology we have been able to demonstrate that it is possible to source Basmati rice that is free of contamination with other rice varieties. Although some mixing of rice species is permitted, restaurateurs seeking to provide a premium product will welcome the assurance that this method gives in verifying that their supplies are 100 per cent pure."