The Liberian business community is currently entangled in a scandal that has raised serious concerns about food safety, citizens’ health and ethical business practices across the country.
The situation was triggered after the United Commodities Incorporated (UCI) came under fire following allegations that the company has been involved in the re-bagging and distribution of substandard rice, commonly referred to as “dirty rice,” on the market.
However, the company management has strongly condemned and rejected in the strongest terms the information circulating on social media and noted that the information and photos of the bagging of dirty rice were criminally and maliciously masterminded.
Recently, the controversy erupted when some Facebookers posted, claiming that UCI has been repackaging low-quality rice and selling it under the guise of premium brands to the country’s population.
According to the allegations, UCI reportedly re-bags the already expired and ‘dirty rice’ into attractive packaging, misleading consumers into believing they are purchasing high-quality products.
In response to the allegations, UCI further described the information as a ‘fabrication and falsehood’ designed by unscrupulous individuals intended to blackmail the company and tarnish its reputation and credibility.
According to the UCI management, it has never and has no intention of engaging in any unscrupulous business practice that will endanger the health and lives of its consumers across the country.
The management, at the same time, has informed the public that the company’s warehouses are open throughout working hours and are accessible to customers where they freely go to purchase their rice without any restrictions.
“This is a clear indication that UCI has nothing to hide because, since the establishment of UCI in 2009, our company has been noted for importing and supplying high-quality grade rice on the Liberian market.
The company doesn’t have any history of selling dirty rice, and UCI is proud to say that its various kinds of rice are the best on the market. The quality and taste of our company’s rice have placed increasing demand on the products by consumers,” the management asserted.
The UCI management added that all the company’s business activities, including rice importation, offloading of shipments, storage, and supply of rice, are done in keeping with best business practices and with the involvement of the government.
