PGR News from the Pacific

Posted 4:19 PM by Luigi

Cassava safe: NARI

Dispels fears following Philippine deaths

CASSAVA varieties found in Papua New Guinea are mostly safe for human consumption, the National Agriculture Research Institute said.

The institute’s assurance came after recent reports of 27 children dying and more than 100 others being hospitalised after eating cassava, or tapioka, in the Philippines. The deaths were said to have been caused by cyanide poisoning from cassava that was not properly prepared. However, it was later found the poisoning was caused by a pesticide found in the cassava mixture that the victims had eaten.

NARI acting director-general Dr Sergie Bang said research by the institute indicated that the PNG varieties have acceptable cyanide levels. The cyanide in the cassava can be destroyed by boiling or cooking.

“The cassava varieties found locally are safe for human consumption. These include the nine high-yielding and drought-tolerant cultivars that NARI has recommended for farmer adoption,” Dr Bang said.He said the local varieties as well as those found in other Pacific countries were low in cyanide contents.But he cautioned that cassava can be poisonous if eaten raw or not properly prepared. The more dangerous were the bitter varieties found mostly in Africa and Asia. He said if people were uncertain then they should soak fresh tubers in water for at least three days before preparing to eat.

He said the research by NARI also found that immature cassava tubers and tuber skin or peelings contained more cyanide than mature tubers and the flesh. “So, peeling would be encouraged and care should be taken in feeding livestock with fresh peelings,” Dr Bang said.



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DIVA-GIS	Sunday, May 08, 2005 Posted 4:19 PM by Luigi Cassava safe: NARI Dispels fears following Philippine deaths CASSAVA varieties found in Papua New Guinea are mostly safe for human consumption, the National Agriculture Research Institute said. The institute’s assurance came after recent reports of 27 children dying and more than 100 others being hospitalised after eating cassava, or tapioka, in the Philippines. The deaths were said to have been caused by cyanide poisoning from cassava that was not properly prepared. However, it was later found the poisoning was caused by a pesticide found in the cassava mixture that the victims had eaten. NARI acting director-general Dr Sergie Bang said research by the institute indicated that the PNG varieties have acceptable cyanide levels. The cyanide in the cassava can be destroyed by boiling or cooking. “The cassava varieties found locally are safe for human consumption. These include the nine high-yielding and drought-tolerant cultivars that NARI has recommended for farmer adoption,” Dr Bang said.He said the local varieties as well as those found in other Pacific countries were low in cyanide contents.But he cautioned that cassava can be poisonous if eaten raw or not properly prepared. The more dangerous were the bitter varieties found mostly in Africa and Asia. He said if people were uncertain then they should soak fresh tubers in water for at least three days before preparing to eat. He said the research by NARI also found that immature cassava tubers and tuber skin or peelings contained more cyanide than mature tubers and the flesh. “So, peeling would be encouraged and care should be taken in feeding livestock with fresh peelings,” Dr Bang said. * Comments: Post a Comment	Archive October 2002 November 2002 December 2002 January 2003 February 2003 March 2003 April 2003 May 2003 June 2003 July 2003 August 2003 September 2003 October 2003 November 2003 December 2003 January 2004 February 2004 March 2004 April 2004 May 2004 June 2004 July 2004 August 2004 September 2004 October 2004 November 2004 December 2004 January 2005 February 2005 March 2005 April 2005 May 2005 June 2005 July 2005 August 2005 September 2005 October 2005 November 2005 December 2005 January 2006 February 2006 March 2006 April 2006 May 2006 June 2006 July 2006 August 2006 September 2006 October 2006 November 2006 December 2006 January 2007 February 2007 March 2007 April 2007 May 2007 June 2007 July 2007 August 2007 September 2007 October 2007 November 2007 December 2007 January 2008 February 2008 March 2008 April 2008 May 2008 June 2008 July 2008 August 2008 September 2008 October 2008 November 2008 December 2008 January 2009 February 2009 March 2009 April 2009 May 2009 June 2009 July 2009 August 2009 September 2009 October 2009 November 2009 January 2010 RSS Feed Alternative feed Contact Tevita Something new: Agrobiodiversity Weblog: For discussions of conservation and sustainable use of the genetic resources of crops, livestock and their wild relatives. 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