NFA-Aklan on guard for ‘fake rice’

BY BOY RYAN B. ZABAL

The National Food Authority (NFA)-Aklan is on guard following a report of fake rice being sold in Davao City. 

Martina Lodero, NFA-Aklan provincial manager, said they are intensifying massive market inspections and monitoring of stores in Aklan to check the existence of suspected fake rice. 

“Maging vigilant tayo, huwag tayong agarang bibili ng bigas. Siguruduhin natin na ang bigas ay  galing sa mga suki natin na nagtitinda. Sinusuyod din natin ang buong Aklan upang malaman na ang lahat ng nagtitinda ng bigas ay may lisensiya,” Lodero said. 

NFA is currently investigating the alleged sale of fake rice from a canteen in Davao City.  NFA has collected samples of the alleged fake rice for laboratory tests by Food Development Center.

Fake rice which is reportedly made from plastic, potatoes, sweet potatoes and materials found in pipes and cables, had been on sale in countries such as Indonesia, Vietnam, China, India, and Malaysia.

To monitor the presence of fake rice, Ladero also urged the public to buy rice from accredited retailers or licensed by NFA in designated public market, groceries and supermarkets. 

The NFA-accredited retailers have signboards with the name of the retailer and accreditation number.

“Siguraduhin natin na hindi amoy plastic ang bigas na binibili. Kung ang bigas ay pare-parehas ang sukat at hugis, at hindi masyadong bilog, maputi  at makintab, ay maaaring gawa ito ng makina,” Lodero reiterated the NFA advisory in a radio report.  

Fake rice should also be immediately reported to authorities and NFA hotline 09064363133 or at facebook.com/NFApublicaffairs. 

“Magreport lamang sa NFA sa mga kahina-hinalang bigas. Kailangan namin at least one kilo ng nabiling bigas na hindi luto upang ma-analyze namin kung ito ay fake,” added Lodero.