Its minister, Armizan Mohd Ali, said this includes the offence of misappropriating the sale of rice by changing the packaging or label, which may mislead consumers.

“In enforcing this Act, rice sample analysis is a crucial aspect in determining imported white rice from local white rice,” he said in a statement.

“Given that the Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute has expertise in rice DNA technology, the ministry will refer to Mardi as the competent authority.”

Armizan said he received a briefing from Mardi on the findings of a study regarding the issue of mixing local white rice and imported white rice in the market today.

He said the ministry is strengthening its standard operating procedures to ensure effective enforcement related to the practice of mixing local white rice and imported white rice to be sold at higher prices.

These SOPs include the management of rice sample exhibits and the admissibility of evidence in court.