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FAKE RICE
One of the widely spread news is the selling of fake rice within the vicinity of Asia. Usually in the East and
Southeast. But the allegedly fake rice from China has already reached the Philippines. As a family from Davao
was shocked when the rice that they bought from a supplier was not what they expected.
When the family cooked the rice, it was like the texture of a styrofoam. The rice is so white as a fleece but
when it was cooked they knew that something was not right. Carmencita Grinio, the housewife who
discovered the fake rice, did not bother to serve the rice because she knew that it was not safe.
The Grinio family had alerted the National Food Authority about the incident, they asked for a sample of the
rice and will further investigate. The Department of Health will also check this matter.
According to Food and Drug Administration, if you found out something suspicious or strange about the rice
that you are cooking doesn't put yourself to the test. It is better to be safe than sorry.
Especially now that there is a rumor about the fake rice that is being distributed in parts of Asia that contains
a synthetic resin that is fatal to mankind.
They say that prevention is better that cure. So let's always be mindful of the foods that we're going to eat.
Always make sure that it is approved by the departments that handles those concern.

http://www.trendingnewsportal.com/2015/06/watch-fake-rice-reached-philippines.html

NFA probes origin of 'fake rice'

By Jacque Manabat, ABS-CBN News Posted at 06/30/2015 12:46 PM
MANILA - The National Food Authority (NFA) is having difficulties tracing the origin of the alleged "fake" rice from China
bought by a family in Davao.
The synthetic rice was reported to have a styrofoam-like substance.
NFA 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.
NFA Administrator Renan Dalisay said his office will need at least a kilo of the rice in question. NFA personnel still cannot
pinpoint where the rice was bought.
"Kung makuha natin 'yung raw, 'yung bigas mismo at hindi 'yung cookedBinili sa isang canteen luto na. Dahil binili ito ng
luto na, tini-trace na po namin kung saan kinuha ng canteen ang Chinese rice, kung saan nanggaling Dine-deny naman po at
nung in-inspect naman namin ang supply nila, genuine ang rice nila," said Dalisay.
Initial results showed that the rice might be mixed with corn, but Dalisay said the study has yet to be completed.
"Hindi pa rin naman final 'yun, kailangan pa malaman kung may foreign substance na hindi edible," he said.
On Tuesday, NFA 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 a surveillance.
Chinese rice is easier to spot--it is rounder and glossier than the locally-produced grains. NFA personnel bought samples of
the rice from different stalls to determine if it has plastic mixed with it.
NFA clarified that it has not issued any permits to import rice from China. But if the discovered sacks of rice in Cartimar
belongs to the batch auctioned by Bureau of Customs last October 2014, it can still be sold. These sacks of smuggled rice
were seized by the Customs in February 2014 in Paranaque.
Stall owner Ricardo Jopongco said a Chinese agent sells the rice for P1,300 per sack.
He said he is not aware that he might be selling smuggled rice.
"Hindi ko naman alam, tatlong buwan na akong binabagsakan ng ahente ko na Chinese," he said.
If proven that the Chinese rice is smuggled, NFA said there is a possibility that fake rice can enter the country.
"NFA is making preventive actions towards fake Chinese rice, for several months already we've been doing surveillance with
the presence of Chinese rice. No permits are given to China, very suspicious po ang Chinese rice," said Dalisay.

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Dalisay has ordered all NFA personnel to intensify market inspection and even in ports to monitor the presence of Chinese
rice and fake rice.
Criminal and administrative cases will be filed against those who imported the Chinese rice with fines ranging from P4,000 to
P8,000 or six years imprisonment.

http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/business/06/30/15/nfa-probes-origin-fake-rice

Fake rice made with plastic reportedly spreading across Asia

Plastic rice sold on the Chinese market has reportedly found its way into various Asian countries, including India,
Indonesia and Vietnam.
The fake rice is made by mixing potatoes, sweet potatoes and synthetic resin, according to the International
Business Times. It's long been circulating on the market in Taiyuan, Shaanxi and appears identical to natural
rice.

Health experts have warned that consuming the fake grains could seriously damage the digestive system.
Authorities have attempted to quell consumers' fears as the internet has been abuzz with news of the fake rice
landing on the shores of various Asian regions.
"As part of AVAs routine surveillance, imported rice is regularly inspected and sampled to ensure compliance
with our food safety standards and requirements," a spokesman from the Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority (AVA)
told The Straits Times after rumors surfaced that the fake rice had entered Singapore.
"We have not received any feedback on fake rice."

The Malaysian Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Ministry likewise denied receiving any reports about the
resin-laced grains, but said if it were to have gotten into Malaysia, it would most likely be sold at small shops
rather than large supermarkets.
So how can you avoid consuming plastic-tainted rice? According to Oryza.com, the fake rice grains remain hard
after being boiled, and the soup made by it forms a very unappetizing plastic sheath 'that burns like plastic' when
heated up. Euuhhh

http://shanghaiist.com/2015/05/20/fake-rice-made-with-plastic-spreading-across-asia.php

NFA probes fake rice, conducts nationwide inspection

(UPDATED) The investigation is prompted by the reported sale of fake rice in Davao City

MANILA, Philippines (UPDATED) The National Food Authority (NFA) has begun daily nationwide inspections of
rice stores as it investigates reports of fake rice being sold in the country.
The NFA, lef by its chief Renan Dalisay, conducted a surprise inspection in Cartimar market in Pasay City on
Tuesday, June 30. The NFA inspection team also visited the stores of 3 retailers suspected of selling smuggled
rice from China.
We inspected and served summons to the owners. We have not issued import permits for [rice coming from]
China, said Dalisay.
The NFAs Technical Research Services Department (TRSD) will determine the age of the rice to determine if it
was part of the batch auctioned in October 2014 by the BOC.
Presidential Assistant for Food Security and Agricultural Modernization Francis Pangilinan, who oversees the
NFA, said Dalisay has assured him that the NFA is "on top of this issue and that aside from the inspections being
conducted, an investigation is on-going and will not stop until we get to the bottom of this."

FAKE RICE REPORT

NFA-Davao City informed the NFA head office of a report it received on June 26, regarding the alleged sale of
fake rice in the city.
Davao City resident Carmencita Grinio reported to the NFA that she bought rice from Cuidad Esperanza canteen
in Cabantian, Davao City, which reportedly had the appearance of stypopor, a synthetic packaging material.
NFA Davao City Provincial Manager Virgilio Alerta gathered samples from the store of the alleged supplier of the
canteen, who denied she sold rice to the latter. The canteen also denied being the source of fake rice.
NFA Davao is verifying the complainant's report, and has submitted samples of the alleged fake rice, provided by
Grinio, to the Food Development Center for laboratory tests, Pangilinan said.
Pangilinan said his office has coordinated with the Bureau of Customs and the Philippine Coast Guard to
intensify watch in all our ports and ensure none of this fake rice will get into country.
We are also closely working with the Grains Retailers Confederation of the Philippines (GRECON) to intensify
monitoring as they are the ones present in all the markets in the country. We cannot let fake rice reach the tables
of the Filipinos, he said.
In a news briefing on Tuesday, Dalisay urged those who suspect they have purchased fake rice to provide a
sample weighing at least one kilogram so that the lab test would be more conclusive.
He said reports on suspicious rice sold in the market can be relayed through NFA hotline 09064363133.
Check small shops in rural areas
Meanwhile, Senator Cynthia Villar, the chair of the Senate committee on agriculture, said that special attention
must be given to small shops in rural areas, where fake rice could be discreetly sold.

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Villar, who is also concurrent chair of the Congressional Oversight Committee on Fisheries and Agricultural
Modernization, said that authorities should be mindful that the fake rice can be mixed with regular rice to avoid
detection.
Obviously, the manufacturer of fake rice is doing this in the name of profit. We heard this is cheaper to produce
and looks very much like the farm-grown rice. Our fear is that many of our kababayan (countrymen) will not be
able to tell the difference and will be deceived into buying this cheaper type, Villar said.
Fake rice is reportedly made from potatoes, sweet potatoes, plastic, and materials found in pipes and cables. Its
sale had been reported in countries like China, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Vietnam.
Villar urged the government to conduct an information campaign to help consumers identify fake rice and to
encourage them to report incidents to authorities, to prevent the public from ingesting toxic materials.
Maraming magkakamali dito at ang sabi pa nga, one week na daw hindi pa napapanis ang kanin. Magmadali tayo dito
dahil parang kumakain ka ng plastickapag ito ang kinain mo, she said.
(Many might buy it by mistake. Its been said that it doesnt spoil even after a week. We should act swiftly
because eating this is like eating plastic.) Rappler.com
Sack of rice image via Shutterstock

http://www.rappler.com/nation/97925-nfa-investigates-fake-rice

UP scientist clarifies fake rice comments

By Rainier Allan Ronda (The Philippine Star) | Updated July 11, 2015 - 12:00am

MANILA, Philippines - A food scientist at the University of the Philippines in Diliman, Quezon City clarified reports
yesterday that she recommended the consumption of fake rice that has surfaced in Davao.
Ma. Concepcion Lizada, professor emeritus of UP Food Science, stressed that she was not familiar with the
nature of the fake rice being sold in Davao City that has caused a health or nutrition scare.
I did not say we should eat fake rice, Lizada said in a statement to The STAR, commenting on an article that
came out on July 9.
The article quoted statements she made on the fake rice scare, giving fabricated rice produced from extrusion
technology a bad reputation.
Lizada made the comment at an open forum on the first day of the two-day 37th Annual Scientific Meeting of the
National Academy of Science and Technology at the Manila Hotel, where she gave a presentation on
Agriculture-Health Convergence: Synergy in Managing Non-Communicable Diseases.
She stressed that she did not know the nature of the fake rice being sold in Davao, if that was what she
referred to as fabricated rice produced using extrusion technology.

Headlines ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1

It is extruded grain. It should have gone through Food and Drug Administration and the Department of Trade
and Industry, and its quality and safety checked, she said.
If it is from another country, it must have gone through these agencies, and the DA as well.
At this point, we dont know what its made of and if its safe. I would advise that we dont consume it, that it be
confiscated and the source investigated, Lizada said.

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She explained that any food product being sold in the market should go through proper documentation and
certification processes required by the FDA.
If it has plasticizers, these might have leached out of the packaging materials, especially if it has been exposed
to high temperatures during storage, shipment or handling, Lizada said.
I would rather not call it fabricated rice. Its giving fabricated rice a very bad reputation, Lizada told her fellow
scientists, academicians and researchers at the forum.
She cited a commercial product called corn rice that is now widely available in the market.
In fact, there was a media blitz about the corn rice. Its good. I tasted it myself, Lizada said.
Lizada said the fabricated rice or corn rice was a product of food extrusion technology, which she discussed in
her presentation as being tapped to fortify food staples.
Its available. Its a good technology. The issue is just why did it go through the backdoor rather than it being
sold as grains made from different starch sources, Lizada said in the open forum.
In her clarification letter, Lizada recalled that she discussed the possibility of processing different starches from
broken rice, corn, cassava or sweet potato and shaping them like grain.
The process is extrusion, which is the same process for producing snacks, breakfast cereals, etc. The more
precise term to use would be extruded grains, Lizada said.
Corn rice is locally manufactured and I presume this is extruded corn. Perhaps we should not call it corn rice,
but use a more appropriate name to reflect the fact that it is not made from rice, she said.
She reportedly complained of cyber bullying over the story. (The STAR apologizes for the misunderstanding over
her remarks.)

http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2015/07/11/1475594/scientist-clarifies-fake-ricecomments

Davao 'fake' rice has contaminant: NFA

ABS-CBNnews.com Posted at 07/03/2015 6:48 PM
MANILA - The National Food Authority (NFA) advised the public not to panic about reports on alleged "fake" rice, after the
agency released initial results from the tests they conducted.
In a press conference on Friday afternoon, the NFA Administrator Rene Dalisay said that they have already finished testing
all alleged fake rice samples given to them, and only the ones coming from Davao was positive for a contaminant.
Because of this, Dalisay said the NFA is now focusing on Davao but has ordered all its attached agencies to inspect possible
synthetic rice samples in their respective areas.
Food Development Center (FDC) Director Jocelyn Sales, meanwhile, said that an iodine test done on the cooked rice
showed presence of starch.
She said the FDC is performing additional tests to identify the chemical composition of alleged fake rice.
Meanwhile, Food Security and Agricultural Modernization Presidential Assistant Francis Kiko Pangilinan said that the
contaminant found on the rice subjects is not poison.
"Dapat araw-araw kinakain sa loob ng 1 buwan para magkaroon ng masamang epekto," he said.
Pangilinan stressed that there are no reasons to panic right now, but the public has to be vigilant.
The NFA also released tips on how to avoid contaminated rice, beginning with buying only from NFA-accredited rice retailers.
http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/07/03/15/davao-fake-rice-has-contaminant-nfa

Fake rice: NBI steps in

NFA findings show that the presence of chemicals in the rice samples could not be
attributed to mishandling during delivery
Rappler.com Published 5:30 PM, July 13, 2015 Updated 5:30 PM, July 13, 2015

MANILA, Philippines Upon orders from President Benigno Aquino III, Justice Secretary Leila de Lima has
directed the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to conduct a fact-finding probe into reports of fake rice being
sold in stores.
The NBI probe will "determine whether such fake rice has reached the public and, if so, what are the affected
areas," De Lima told reporters. Investigators will also identify the source and file appropriate charges against
them, she added.
The National Food Authority (NFA) in Davao City earlier informed the head office of a report it received on June
26 regarding the alleged sale of fake rice in the city.
Davao City resident Carmencita Grinio reported to the NFA that she bought rice from Cuidad Esperanza canteen
in Cabantian, Davao City, which reportedly had the appearance of styropor, a synthetic packaging material.
NFA's initial findings showed that the samples were found to have 90% likelihood to contain dibutyl phthalate
(DBP), a plasticizer used for manufacture of cosmetics and will be subject to further confirmatory testing."
Senator Cynthia Villar held a hearing on the issue in Davao City on Monday, July 13.
She said the police Criminal and Investigation Detection Group (CIDG), which is also investigating the case,
needs to trace the source.
In its report during the hearing, CIDG said: As of this time, there are no traces of evidence to conclude the
presence of fake rice in Davao City, based on the investigation and laboratory results of collected raw samples
from rice retailers, warehouses, and mills where the alleged fake rice came from.
The CIDG report also recommended that the isolated case of fake rice in Davao City shall be subjected to
continuous investigation and monitoring."
Food safety law
Villar said that the responsibility of tracing the source ultimately lies with the NFA.
She took note of NFA's initial findings that the presence of chemicals in the rice samples could not be simply
attributed to mishandling during delivery.
Villar added that a food security law was passed in 2013 but this lacks implementing rules and regulations.

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Maybe this happened as a wake-up call for the implementation of the food safety law. Sometimes things happen
that make you question why certain laws are not being implemented, Villar said. Rappler.com

http://www.rappler.com/business/industries/247-agriculture/99234-fake-rice-nbi-probe