The Thai Rice Packers Association (TRPA) said Wednesday that anyone who says methyl bromide poisoning in its products will kill is a liar - and put up 20 million baht as a challenge.
Somkiat Makkcayathorn, the association president, said the group will pay the 20 million bath to the relatives of anyone who dies from methyl bromide poisoning after consuming rice from any member. The "prize" emphasises the association's claim that rumours about toxic levels of methyl bromide are untrue.
The challege is part of a project to regain consumer confidence in Thai packed rice, and covers 128 packed rice companies.
Mr Somkiat said all of its members' products will be examined according to international standards every three months for a year. The first tests will begin on Aug 1.
The project will be paid for by the association. The public can follow its progress online at the TRPA's website, he said.
Mr Somkiat said the association expects sales of packed rice to expand by 5% from a gross annual value of 30 billion baht.
Packed rice sales increased in the first half of 2013. However, over the past two months, families have been purchasing only two bags of rice, down from the normal rate of 3-5 bag of rice, he said.
The president brushed off claims that rice exports have dropped because foreign countries have lost confidence in Thai rice, saying that rice fumigation is a common practice internationally.