Technical recommendations for importers of rice and rice products to minimize the potential for LLRICE601 to be brought into Canada

The CFIA recommends that importers obtain documentation indicating that the presence of LLRICE601 is not in their imports. If an import arrives without appropriate supporting documentation, it is more likely to be selected for testing by the CFIA.  Appropriate documentation should demonstrate, for example, that:

• the shipment does not originate from the US, or
• the shipment does not contain long grain rice (at present, LLRICE601 has not been found in short or medium grain rice), or
• the shipment contains rice that will not be used in food or livestock feed (e.g. the rice is intended for food that will be re-exported to the US.)
• if none of the above apply, the importer can supply documentation which demonstrates that the shipment has been tested using an appropriate sampling plan and detection method, for the presence of LLRICE601

As an interim measure, the CFIA recommends using a combination of testing and sampling procedures during this initial period to deliver at least a sensitivity of 0.5 per cent (i.e. LLRICE601 will be detected if present at a level of at least 0.5 per cent of the shipment) at a 95 per cent confidence interval.  Importers should note that any test result indicating a presence of LLRICE601 would be considered out of compliance and that the shipment cannot enter the food or livestock feed marketplace.

For specific guidance on techniques to ensure representative sampling of rice shipments, please refer to GIPSA Rice Inspection Handbook available online at http://archive.gipsa.usda.gov/reference-library/handbooks/rice/rice-chapt02.pdf#search=%22GIPSA%20rice%20sampling%20handbook%22.

Two currently available test methods can be applied to detect LLRICE601 in a rice shipment at a level of sensitivity of at least 0.5 per cent. These are described below. Importers must choose the approach that best meets their own individual needs. Any questions about the acceptability of other methods can be directed to the CFIA contact person listed at the end of this document.

(i). PCR testing at one of four commercial labs in the US that are providing diagnostic services to detect LLRICE601. Their addresses are available from Bayer CropScience: http://www.bayercropscience.com/BAYER/CropScience/BCSUS.nsf/id/Bio_TestingServices

If importers opt to use the PCR testing provided by these commercial laboratories, their records of the testing should indicate:

• the name and address of the testing laboratory
• the date of the test
• the sample ID number
• the type of material being tested
• the number (or other identifier) of the lot that the sample represents
• the size of the lot that the sample represents
• the sampling size
• the method and test used (e.g. Semi-Quantitative TaqMan PCR, 35S-bar)
• the test result

(ii). Commercially available test kits (lateral flow strip testing) can also be used.  The manufacturers of these kits are:

Strategic Diagnostics Inc. (SDI)
111 Pencader Drive
Newark, DE
19702
Phone: 302-456-6789 Ext. 222
Kit number: 7000048

EnviroLogix Inc.
500 Riverside Industrial Parkway
Portland, Maine 04103-1486
USA
Phone: 207-797-0300 or 1-866-408-4597
Kit number: AS 013 RB

If importers opt to use the SDI or EnviroLogix test kits, they must ensure that the sampling protocols are adjusted to provide a sensitivity of at least 0.5 per cent.  In addition, their records should indicate:

• the name and occupation of the person who performed the test, and the name and address of the company employing this person
• an attestation of the accuracy of the information supplied, signed by a senior official in this company
• the date of the test
• the address of the facility where the test was conducted
• the sample ID number
• the type of material being tested
• the number (or other identifier) of the lot that the sample represents
• the size of the lot that the sample represents
• the number and size of sub samples analysed
• the volume of buffer or water used (ml)
• the lot number of the buffer (where applicable)
• the strip test name and lot number
• the results of all of the individual strip test results run to provide a minimum sensitivity of 0.5 per cent.

If you require more information about how to achieve at least a 0.5 per cent level of sensitivity using an SDI or EnviroLogix test kits, please contact the CFIA representative listed in section 11.   

The Agency will evaluate this strategy after approximately two months. Following this review, any changes will be communicated to affected industry representatives and through web updates. Our current expectation is that, by the end of the initial two month period, industry will have obtained access to, and will have migrated to using the PCR methodology in a manner that will achieve a sensitivity of 0.1 per cent.

The CFIA will conduct spot checks of imports for compliance verification at the first point of distribution, or the importer’s warehouses, after the shipments have entered Canada.

The CFIA will initially focus on imports of single-ingredient rice products that represent the majority of long grain rice imports into Canada, such as milled or semi-milled long grain rice; husked (brown) long grain rice; milled or semi-milled parboiled long grain rice.

Please note that this is not an exhaustive list.

The CFIA will first ask the importer to supply any available documentation about the rice shipment, as described in question 1.  After a review of any available documentation, inspectors will select some rice shipments for sampling and compliance verification testing to be conducted by CFIA laboratories. If an importer’s shipment is selected for this testing, the importer will be advised to hold the shipment until the results become available.

If an import arrives without any supporting documentation, it is more likely to be selected for testing by the CFIA. 

Yes, lateral strip tests and the 35S-bar PCR method detect the presence of both LLRICE601 and LLRICE62. Importers are free to decide how they will demonstrate that they have taken appropriate measures to prevent the inadvertent entry of LLRICE601 into Canada.  They may choose to do this by either testing for LLRICE601 specifically, or they may choose to use a less specific test that also detects the approved product, LLRICE62.

Any enforcement actions taken by the CFIA will be based on CFIA testing that detects the presence of LLRICE601 specifically.

Angela Bilkhu
Program Officer
Food Safety Division
Canadian Food Inspection Agency
Telephone: (613) 221-7205
Fax: (613) 221-7295
Email: bilkhua@inspection.gc.ca