PRE S S TRIP TO G R EECE A press trip to Thessaloniki, Greece was organized by Novacert Ltd. to promote European Rice among the rice consumers and producers of the Arab market. "The trip educated the media delegates on European Rice’s standardization process, quality control, and food safety,” says, M. Matt, Managing Editor of Food Business Gulf & Middle East
EUROPEAN RICE:
ENJOY IT'S FROM EUROPE I t’s not a surprise that rice is a staple crop to the world population. European rice is today distinguished for its quality and nutritional value. It is believed that the rice was introduced to Europe by the naturalists who followed Alexander the Great in his expeditions. It's found in the fertile soil in Mediterranean Europe and was grown, loved, and became part of European culinary tradition. European rice is a food with a high nutritional value. It is rich in B-complex vitamins, such as Niacin, Thiamine, Riboflavin, and Selenium, while the carbohydrates contained in its endosperm constitute an important source of energy for the human organism. Modern scientific studies recommend that a total of 55% of our daily calorie intake must be in the form of carbohydrates. Grain quality is important regarding the final product.
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Quality depends not only on the variety of rice but also on the crop production environment, harvesting, processing, and milling systems. Several interrelated features determine the quality of rice, such as moisture content and purity degree. These characteristics are determined by the environmental weather conditions during production, crop production practices, soil conditions harvesting, and postharvest practices. “Our rice producers fully comply with the Integrated Quality Management System for the Agricultural Production of Rice. This system is based on good
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agricultural practices which respect the environment, protect the producer growers health, and offer a healthy and safe product to the consumer” says, Konstantinos Astreidis – Project Manager of NOVACERT LTD – the Implementing Body of the European Rice program. High-end quality and genuine taste are the characteristics of European Rice. Beginning from the field, producers select the seeds most suited to the soil and climate conditions of the area. During the cultivation, they adhere to certified Integrated Management procedures aimed at the protection of the environment
January-March 2022
