National Food Authority assures no 'Fake Rice' in Baguio City and Benguet

(Wow-Cordillera) - The National Food Authority or NFA has assured the rice-consuming public that there is no fake rice being sold in public markets in the Philippines including Baguio City and Benguet, Philippine Information Agency reported.

This comes after NFA Baguio-Benguet chapter conducted an inspection to a rice sample taken from a consumer from Baguio City who claimed it was a fake rice but, laboratory analysis reports it was real rice and not a fake rice.

There were several reports circulating on social media about  the alleged fake rice made of plastic being sold in public markets. Netizens posted videos of cooked plastic rice that is bouncing as indication it was fake.

The NFA Baguio Benguet Chapter headed by Cecilia Concubierta recently conducted inspections of rice stalls in the Baguio Pubic Market and market areas in La Trinidad to ensure there is not fake rice being sold.

In line with helping the public to be vigilant when buying rice, NFA has release guidelines on buying rice to ensure they will not be a victim of fake rice.

For raw rice, consumer should make sure that they buy only from retailer accredited by the NFA or from their "suki" rather than from vendors they do not know or trust. An NFA accredited store displays the trader's full name and license number.

If the grains are uniformly-sized, there's a chance they may have been made by a machine. All rice grains have a chalky dot or scar at the tip of the kernel where the germ or embryo was removed. It looks like a small groove at the tip of each grain of rice.

Aside from the appearance, consumer should also be aware of the smell of rice. If it smells anything like plastic or any synthetic material, it should be subjected to laboratory analysis to ascertain the composition of the "grain".

For cooked rice, consumer must also make sure it does not smell unusual. There should be no foam-like substance left on top of the rice when cooked. It one feels ill from eating any suspected fake rice, it is best to see a doctor immediately.

Consumers who might have complaints about fake rice may contact NFA Bantay Bigas Hotline 0906-4363133.

They can also bring at least 1 kilogram of rice sample to NFA offices for inspection or they may contact any NFA agents to get the sample from them.