NFA, DA urged to go after peddlers of fake rice

Senator Cynthia Villar on Tuesday urged the Department of Agriculture (DA) and the National Food Authority (NFA) to look into the reported proliferation of synthetic rice in the country.

“A nationwide inspection by DA and NFA should be conducted on warehouses and rice shops to identify the illegal peddlers of fake rice and make sure they will be severely penalized under existing laws,” Villar, chair of the Senate committee on agriculture and food, said in a statement.

“Special attention must be given to small shops in rural areas, where fake rice could be discreetly sold,” she said.

Villar, also chair of the congressional oversight committee on fisheries and agricultural modernization, issued the statements following the reported discovery of fake rice in Davao delSur.

“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,” she said.

Senator Cynthia Villar. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

“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 added.

Reports said the synthetic rice was made of potatoes, sweet potatoes, and plastic, shaped into grains. Materials found in pipes and cables were also reportedly used in this type of rice.

Villar said she expects the DA to submit the official report on the matter.

“The Bureau of Customs and the Coast Guard should also continue guarding our ports for the possible illegal entry of fake rice. We should be mindful that this type could be mixed with normal rice,” she said.

An information campaign, she said, should also be immediately launched to teach the public pointers how to identify fake rice and to encourage consumers to report its presence to authorities.

“Maraming magkakamali dito at ang sabi pa nga. One week na daw hindi pa napapanis ang kanin. Magmadali tayo dito dahil parang kumakain ka ng plastic kapag ito ang kinain mo,” the senator added.

(Many are deceived by this product. It reportedly doesn’t spoil. We should act immediately because it’s like you’re eating plastic when you consume this.)

Health experts have warned that consuming such fake grains could be deadly or could cause serious damage to the digestive system.

Villar said the smuggling of fake rice will be declared as economic sabotage if Senate Bill No. 2765 or the Anti Agricultural Smuggling Act of 2015, which she authored, would be enacted into law. IDL

READ: Bill expanding scope of agricultural smuggling as economic sabotage filed in Senate