The National Food Authority (NFA) on Sunday clarified that the sacks of rice infested with rice weevil (bukbok) are still safe for consumption once the fumigation process is done.
NFA Spokesperson Rex Estoperez even said that NFA officials including its Administrator Jason Aquino would be the first to eat the infested rice to assure the public it is still safe.
“Very safe ‘yan [for consumption], may instruction nga si NFA Administrator (Aquino) na once matapos ‘yang fumigation, ang una pong kakain n’yan ay mga taga NFA. Ipapakita natin sa publiko na ‘yung NFA officials at administrator ay kumakain ng nabukbok at nafumigate na bigas,” Estoperez said in an interview over Radyo Inquirer.
(It’s very safe for consumption. The NFA Administrator even has instructions that once fumigation is done, the first ones who will eat the rice will be from the NFA. We will show the public that the NFA officials and administrator can eat the infested rice that was fumigated.)
Authorities discovered last Wednesday over 100,000 sacks of imported rice from Thailand infested with rice weevils at the Subic Bay Freeport Zone.
Estoperez said it will take seven to 12 days to kill the pests.
He also stressed that the cost of fumigation would be charged to the rice supplier and not the government.
The NFA official further explained that it is natural for rice to be infested with rice weevils, especially when stored for a long time. /je