MANILA – Rice consumers reported suspicions on styrofoam-like synthetic rice, which was believed to be made of sweet potatoes and plastic resin. This fake and poisonous rice was bought from several rice retailers in Davao City.
The Confederation of Grains Retailers Association of the Philippines (Grecon) then urged the public to be cautious when buying rice in the local market and to immediately report retailers selling synthetic rice.
The fake rice, which also entered Davao del Sur, was conceded as genuine rice. But unlike locally produced genuine rice which normally lasted a day, fake rice could last up to four days.
Grecon President Helen Osin called on the National Food Authority (NFA) to inspect local markets to prevent the further proliferation of synthetic rice.
Since locally produced rice underwent strict quality control procedures, Osin suspected that the fake rice may be imported or smuggled.
The Samahang Industriya sa Agrikultura (Sinag), for its part, urged the government to be more active in seeking synthetic rice smugglers and retailers.
Sinag Chairman Rosendo So stated that the government has been content ‘auctioning off seized smuggled commodities’ instead of ‘running after the smugglers.’
As of posting, samples of fake rice were already being tested in laboratories.