Chamber Condemns Charles’ Actions

In the ongoing saga, rice producers have said that Jack Charles has it all wrong. The Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry today took a stand, and a very strong one, on the claims made by Charles. The BCCI condemns the allegations saying that the FDA and other Food Safety agencies in developed countries have set allowable limits for aflatoxins in all foods, including milk. According to the Chamber, these accusations are clearly without merit, and obviously meant to cause consumer panic without any care for potential damage to the Belizean economy, the reputation of the rice industry or BAHA’s institutional reputation. Says the BCCI, “Issuing such an inflammatory report on the rice industry is irresponsible and clearly intended to force an opening for rice importation.” It ends its release by stating that Belizean consumers have a right to benefit from honest competition which encourages quality and beneficial pricing and that Belizean producers who contribute to our economy should not find themselves disparaged by spurious allegations made purely for competitive gain.