Cambodian officials have begun to raise awareness on the forthcoming government issued standards for Cambodian milled brown rice, in an effort to guage reactions ahead of the official approval by the National Standards Board, according to officials.

The official approval, aimed at promoting brown rice in the market, will be out at some point in the next two months.

Chan Borin, deputy director of the Institute of Standards at the Ministry of Industry, Mines and Energy, said a draft standards document for milled brown rice would enhance its utility in the domestic market and in exporting to international markets.

“When people need to export, we have to have standards,” he said. “We have to have a national standard for milled rice, both white and brown rice.”

Standardisation is focused on the market enhancement and safety in producing brown rice without chemical additives, which affect health, he said. According to Chan Borin, brown rice has not been used much previously in Cambodia, because all the milled rice that was produced was white.

“Brown rice contains vitamin B1, which helps people who are sluggish,” he said. “We have to have a standard for brown rice. Although it is not used much, in the future some people will need it and world markets will buy it.”

Chan Borin said the standards would focus on the production and processing of milled rice, its packaging, storage and hygience, among other criteria.

To contact the reporter on this story: Rann Reuy at [email protected]