GreconNormin alarm over fake Chinese rice

By LITO RULONA

Correspondent

THE Northern Mindanao Grains Retailers Confederation of the Philippines (Grecon) has expressed alarm over reported proliferation of alleged “fake” rice imported from China and now bought by a family in Davao City.

Grecon president Ms. Helen Osin said they had already asked assistance from the National Food Authority (NFA), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and other law enforcement agencies to closely monitor rice that are being sold to the public markets and retailing stores in the region.

“This issue is quite alarming, especially because this fake rice are poisonous when digested. Grecon members should be vigilant,” she said

She is also concerned that the alleged “fake” rice might already reach the region.

“People must be taught how to determine which fake and real rice is. This rice can deceive buyers because it resembles the white rice we regularly buy, but made of potatoes and plastic raisins which is considered also as poisonous,” she said.

In a report reaching to Grecon office disclosed that the synthetic rice was reported to have a styrofoam-like substance. The rice is as white as a fleece but when it was cooked they knew that something was not right. One CarmencitaGrinio, the housewife from Davao who discovered the fake rice, did not bother to serve the rice because she knew that it was not safe.

NFA-Davao accordingly submitted a sample of the rice to Food Development Center scientists to determine if there is indeed plastic mixed with the rice, but the sample was too small to come up with a full laboratory test result.

Yesterday, NFA-Manila discovered 100 sacks of Chinese rice being sold at Cartimar Market in Pasay for P75 to P80 per sack. Months ago, NFA also discovered 8,000 sacks of rice in the same market during market surveillance.

Osin said it is safer for the consuming public to patronize locally harvest rice products and those rice supplies coming from the NFA bodegas because it was passed under close monitoring.

Grecon head office in Manila advised members and retailers that Chinese rice is easier to spot–it is rounder and glossier than the locally-produced grains.

Osin said if you found out something suspicious or strange about the rice that you are cooking don’t put yourself at risk. It is better to be safe than sorry.

“This fake rice doesn’t stale as fast as regular rice does it can survive up to four days, which as real rice is only good a day or two. If it is laced with plastic then this is dangerous to our health” she claimed.