Duterte orders CIDG to intensify probe vs ‘fake’ rice

Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte (PNA photo)

DAVAO CITY — Police authorities are set to intensify investigation to trace source of synthetic or fake rice in Davao as result of the laboratory analysis on the rice samples sent to the National Food Authority-Food Development Center (NFA-FDC) in Manila reportedly showed chemical contaminants.

The result of the analysis even alarmed the toxics watchdog, EcoWaste Coalition, because the chemical contaminant detected in the rice, a staple food source of the Filipinos.

On Sunday, Mayor Rodrigo Duterte asked the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) XI to lead the investigation and trace the original source of the rice and the extent of its distribution.

The mayor’s order for CIDG to lead the investigation came after a rice retailer, talked to him and disclosed the samples of rice is prohibited in cosmetics and toys and must not be present in foodstuff, particularly rice with some information where the supplies were bought.

Duterte declined to identify some names pending a conclusive result of the rice analysis. He said he does not want to unnecessarily drag people.

But on Friday, the initial confirmatory result from the Food Development Center in Manila showed that the rice samples contain dibutyl phthalate. The initial result will also be subjected for a second analysis in Singapore.

The EcoWaste Coalition, a watchdog group promoting human and ecological health, expressed shock over the detection of dibutyl phthalate (DBP) on fake rice as analyzed by NFA-FDC.

In a press statement, EcoWaste Coalition president, Sonia Mendoza said, “We are deeply alarmed by the discovery of toxic DBP in synthetic rice that has reportedly penetrated the local market, particularly in the south.” Mendoza is a retired chemist.

This prompted EcoWaste to call on government to get to the bottom of this trade in hazardous rice laced with a chemical that is banned in the production of cosmetics and toys.

According to EcoWaste, the use of DBP, a chemical additive to adhesives and plastics, in concentration above 0.1% is prohibited in children’s toys under the Department of Health Administrative Order 2009-0005-A as amended in December 2011.

DBP is also listed on Annex II, Part 1 of the ASEAN Cosmetics Directive as among the substances that “must not form part of the composition of cosmetic products.”

“The consumption of this tainted rice, especially by pregnant women and young children, may expose consumers to DBP, which is known to cause birth and reproductive disorders in laboratory animals,” Mendoza warned.

Meantime, Duterte cautioned the public not to panic until there is a conclusive laboratory analysis. He admitted that the issue needs the police to thresh out what really happened.

The mayor however advised the public not buy newly-produced rice with sacks allegedly marked as Banaybanay because the government does not have information if these are really locally produced, imported or smuggled illegally into the country.

Duterte asked traders to check and make sure that their supplies are safe for consumption emphasizing that it is “your obligation that your rice is safe to digest, alright to eat for if you fail on that – do not give me reasons for excuses”.

“We would have to take steps there another level of investigation,” he said as he ordered Davao City Police Office (DCPO) Director Sr. Superintendent Vicente Danao to turn over information and whatever reports he has on hand to the CIDG.

Danao currently heads the Task Force created by the mayor to investigate and track sources of synthetic or fake rice. Duterte said he wants CIDG to focus on the investigation and expedite matters because it can network with other CIDG offices in other regions.