Senate probes sale of fake rice

The Senate began its investigation on Monday on the reported proliferation of fake rice in some parts of the country.

The investigation by the committee on agriculture and food was initiated by its chair, Senator Cynthia Villar, who wanted to look into the possible effects of the synthetic rice on people’s health.

READ: Senate probe: What’s in synthetic rice? Is it healthy?

Among those invited in the first hearing of the committee were Secretary Francis Pangilinan, presidential assistant on food security and agricultural modernization, National Food Authority administrator Renan Dalisay, Customs Commissioner Alberto Lina, and representatives from the Food and Drug Administration, Department of Justice, Philippine National Police, National Bureau of Investigation, and rice industry stakeholders.