Protecting Authentic Basmati: UK Enforces Rice Authenticity Standards

Basmati is the UK’s favourite speciality rice, it’s delicate flavour enhances dishes like curries, pilafs, and kedgerees. Around 75% of the world’s basmati comes from India, with the UK importing about 3% of that total, along with significant quantities from Pakistan, the second-largest producer.

However, some of these basmati varieties have proven substandard, missing the signature popcorn-like aroma that makes basmati so highly prized.

In August an investigation by the Food Standards Agency National Food Crime Unit (NFCU) into basmati rice fraud has resulted in four arrests. Large quantities of 10kg and 20kg bags of mixed rice in counterfeit premium brand basmati packaging were seized as part of the operation.

The UK has strict quality and authenticity requirements for basmati rice, set out in the ‘Basmati Code of Practice’, a set of legally enforced standards developed jointly by the Food Standards Agency and the Rice Association, the trade body representing the UK rice sector.

Rice Association head of technical and regulatory affairs, Joe Brennan, said:

“It is good to see continued active official enforcement of the Basmati Code of Practice, which alongside regular industry surveys ensure that when UK consumers buy basmati rice they are getting an authentic product.”

The code sets out the physical and aroma quality requirements of basmati rice and specifies the varieties that can be considered basmati, which is verified with DNA authenticity testing by accredited laboratories. Basmati rice must be grown in India and Pakistan.

A condition of Rice Association membership is to uphold industry standards, such as adherence to the Basmati Code of Practice. This requirement is taken seriously and consumer enquiries are investigated.

“If consumers have concerns that basmati rice is not authentic or meeting quality standards, we recommend they contact the brand owner or the Rice Association” added Joe.

Dr Katherine Steele, Reader in Sustainable Crop Production at Bangor University has been influential in creating the current method of testing DNA for authentication of different variations of rice, including basmati rice, she said:

“Rice is a major commodity and it has such vast diversity that it’s crucial to maintain the quality of products at the premium end of the market. DNA methods have an important role for enforcement of standards.”