Iraq’s trade ministry denies presence of spoiled rice in Babil warehouses following social media videos

BABIL – Iraq’s Ministry of Trade denied social media reports alleging spoiled rice in its Babil Governorate warehouses, saying that the circulated video dates back two years.

In a statement released Monday, the ministry said a supervisory team had been formed at the time—in coordination with the Quality Control Department and the Ministry of Health—to investigate and address the issue. The ministry confirmed that the rice shown in the video was never distributed to agents or citizens and emphasized its “commitment to providing high-quality food basket” items that meet laboratory testing standards.

The statement also urged citizens not to be misled by “false rumors” aimed at undermining the ration card system.

Iraq’s monthly food ration program, introduced in the 1990s under the United Nations’ Oil-for-Food Programme, has remained in effect since the fall of Saddam Hussein’s regime in 2003 despite persistent concerns about ration quality and quantity.

Two weeks ago, the ministry announced progress in automating the national food ration card system, citing high completion rates in governorates already using electronic processing.