by Mario Casayuran

Beware of synthetic rice; action sought from DA, Food Authority
by Mario Casayuran
July 1, 2015  

Eating fake rice could be deadly or could cause serious damage to health.

This warning by health officials was restated by Sen. Cynthia Villar, chairwoman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Food, as she urged the Department of Agriculture (DA) and the National Food Authority (NFA) yesterday to look into the reported proliferation of synthetic rice in the country.

The lady senator cited reports that synthetic rice is made from potatoes, sweet potatoes, and plastic, shaped to look like rice grains.

image: http://www.mb.com.ph/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/ricesa-300x222.jpg 

“The Bureau of Customs and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) should be on guard in  the country’s ports for the possible entry of fake rice. We should be mindful that this type could be mixed with normal rice,” Villar said.

“Obviously, the manufacturer of fake rice is doing this in the name of profit. We heard this is cheaper to produce and looks very much like the farm-grown rice. Our fear is that many of our kababayan will not be able to tell the difference and will be deceived into buying this cheaper type,” she said.

Fake rice, which has also been reported in neighboring countries such as China, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Vietnam, reportedly reached Philippine shores through Davao del Sur, she said.

“A nationwide inspection by DA and NFA should be conducted on warehouses and rice shops to identify sellers of fake rice and make sure they will be severely penalized under existing laws,” Villar said. “Special attention must be given to small shops in rural areas, where fake rice could be discreetly sold,” she added.

As concurrent chairwoman of the Congressional Oversight Committee on Fisheries and Agricultural Modernization, Villar said she expects the DA to submit an official report on the matter.

The senator said an information campaign should be launched immediately to alert the public and provide pointers on how to identify fake rice and to encourage consumers to report its presence to authorities. She said fake rice does not stick to the hand like real rice.

Villar said smuggling of fake rice would be declared economic sabotage under Senate Bill No. 2765 (the Anti-Agricultural Smuggling Act of 2015) when it is enacted into law.

 INSPECTIONS SOUGHT

Quezon City officials asked the city government and concerned agencies yesterday to conduct random inspections of rice dealers and retailers to protect the consumers from traders selling fake rice.

Councilors Victor Ferrer Jr., Jesus Manuel Suntay, Ranulfo Ludovica, Allan Benedict Reyes, Jaime Borres, and Eufemio Lagumbay said there is urgent need for government agencies to check on rice retailers and wholesalers, in view of the proliferation of synthetic rice.

Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte warned sellers of fake rice that he would make them eat the synthetic product, after sacks of the bogus variety were found in the region.

Councilor Ferrer said the city and national governments should leave no stones unturned in the effort to stop the sale of the synthetic rice. He asked the public to closely scrutinize the rice they purchase as the fake ones which are cheaper look very authentic. (With a report from Chito A. Chavez)

Manila Bulletin