Supermarkets to pull Uncle Ben's Infused Rice

FOLLOWING REPORTS that certain Uncle Ben's rice products have had adverse effects on persons who consumed them in the United States, some supermarket operators were, last evening, holding talks with a view to pulling these items from their shelves.

The Consumer Affairs Commission (CAC) has unequivocally declared that the five- and 25-pound Uncle Ben's Infused rice product should not be consumed, noting that persons could place themselves at risk by having the staple.

"In view of the foregoing and the fact that Uncle Ben's Rice is popular in Jamaica, the Consumer Affairs Commission and the Bureau of Standards Jamaica are warning consumers to refrain from consuming the product in restaurants, schools, hospitals, and other institutions at this time," said the CAC release.

The CAC has advised persons to return the product at the point of sale and exchange it for another item.

When The Gleaner contacted some of the major supermarkets, management of these establishments were said to be locked in meetings. However, there was indication that the rice products would have been pulled.

In a release yesterday, the CAC reported that persons in Texas, Illinois, North Dakota, among other states in the US became ill after consuming the product.

Several newspapers in the United States have reported since Tuesday that these products would not be served at schools, restaurants, hospitals and other food-service institutions, as they have prompted burning, itching rashes, headaches and nausea.

It is reported that the producer of Uncle Ben's, Mars Foodservices of Greenville, Missouri, US, has recalled all five-pound and 25-pound bags of Uncle Ben's Infused Rise products.

Efforts to get a comment from the local distributors of the product failed as a promise to return a call to The Gleaner did not materialise.

Recalled products

• Uncle Ben's Infused Rice - Roasted Chicken Flavour (25lb) UPC: 3010501
• Uncle Ben's Infused Rice - Roasted Chicken Flavour (5lb) UPC: U0257000
• Uncle Ben's Infused Rice - Garlic & Butter Flavour (5lb) UPC: U0257100
• Uncle Ben's Infused Rice - Mexican Flavour (25lb) UPC: U0318000
• Uncle Ben's Infused Rice - Mexican Flavour (5lb) UPC: U0257300
• Uncle Ben's Infused Rice - Pilaf (5lb) UPC: U0262000
• Uncle Ben's Infused Rice - Saffron Flavour (5lb) UPC: U0263002
• Uncle Ben's Infused Rice - Cheese Flavour (5lb) UPC: U0262900
• Uncle Ben's Infused Rice - Spanish Flavour (25lb) UPC: U3012100