Toxic Aflatoxin Found in Imported Rice: Fungal Toxin Detected Later in a Consignment First Cleared as Fit to Eat, Raising Food-Safety Questions

The detection of the harmful fungal toxin aflatoxin in a consignment of imported rice has raised fresh concerns about the effectiveness of the country's food-safety system. The substance was detected in 135 tonnes of rice imported from India and stored at the Halishahar central food warehouse in Chattogram — even though an initial test had declared the consignment fit to eat.

Food is a basic human need, and ensuring its safety is one of the state's most important responsibilities. But questions over the quality of imported rice, and the detection of aflatoxin in tests, have raised questions about how that responsibility is being carried out. International research has also reported aflatoxin in rice sold in markets in Bangladesh and India.

Experts say the problem is not confined to one country or one consignment of rice. If moisture is not controlled at various stages of production, collection, transport and storage, fungus can grow in rice and other food grains. That can produce aflatoxin, which is linked to liver damage and cancer risk over the long term. The World Health Organization has also identified fungal toxins in food grains as an important public-health risk.

Passed in the first test, toxin found later — questions have arisen over quality-checking procedures surrounding the consignment imported from India under a government-to-government (G2G) deal. According to reports, the rice-laden MV HT Pioneer reached the outer anchorage of Chattogram port on 21 July 2026. The next day, a sample-test report declared the rice fit to eat, and it was released on 24 and 25 July.

Later, after the rice reached various food warehouses, complaints arose of discolouration, bad odour and poor quality. A report published on 11 September said distribution of about 9,500 tonnes of rice had been suspended amid doubts over its quality. Earlier, 984 tonnes of substandard rice had reportedly been sent back. In subsequent tests, aflatoxin was detected in 135 tonnes of rice at the Halishahar central food warehouse.

The important question in this incident is why a harmful substance was detected in a later test after the first test had declared the rice fit to eat. The sampling method, laboratory capacity, rice storage arrangements and the supplier's quality control all now need to be reviewed.

Aflatoxin has been found in rice samples in other countries too, not just Bangladesh. A study published in 2024 tested rice samples collected from local markets in Hyderabad, India, and reported aflatoxin B1 in 54% of samples and B2 in 34%; in three samples, total aflatoxin exceeded India's prescribed acceptable limit. The study, however, was conducted on specific samples from Hyderabad and does not represent all rice in India.

A 2019 review by Bangladeshi researcher Nurshad Ali analysed studies from home and abroad and reported aflatoxin in rice and rice products in Bangladesh's markets and in several other Asian countries. Aflatoxin has also been found at various times in rice samples from China, Iran, Pakistan, Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia and other countries — although testing methods, sample types and legal limits differ between countries.

Aflatoxin is a type of mycotoxin — a toxic chemical produced by certain fungi. It can be produced by fungi of the Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus groups, which can grow in rice, paddy, maize, nuts and other food grains in favourable humidity and temperature.

According to the World Health Organization, long-term exposure to aflatoxin is linked to liver-cancer risk, and intake in high doses can cause acute poisoning. Of particular concern, the presence of fungus in food cannot always be detected with the naked eye, and ordinary cooking heat does not reliably destroy the toxin completely. Rice therefore cannot be declared completely safe from its colour, smell or appearance — nor can discolouration alone prove aflatoxin is present; proper laboratory analysis is required.

Professor Nurshad Ali of Shahjalal University of Science and Technology has said that, to ensure food safety, the rice in question must be kept separate and stored safely until final test results and risk assessment are complete. If needed, samples should be sent to an accredited independent laboratory to confirm aflatoxin levels. Quality checks should not stop at initial sampling at the port; risk-based checks should continue after release and warehousing, and rice at local mills, wholesale markets, retail shops and government food warehouses should also come under regular sample testing alongside imported rice.

Rice is the staple food of millions in Bangladesh. Whether imported or domestically produced, no rice should be distributed as food without proper testing and quality verification. Swift and transparent publication of test results, safe disposal of suspect rice and regular market surveillance would protect public health and also increase people's trust in the government food distribution system.