De Lima orders NBI to probe fake rice

JUSTICE Secretary Leila de Lima on Monday forwarded to the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) the documents from Secretary Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan, Presidential Adviser on Food Security and Agricultural Modernization regarding information on the entry of fake rice into the country from China.

De Lima ordered the investigation following instructions from President Benigno Aquino III.

“I tasked the NBI to specifically determine whether such fake rice has reached the public and if so, what the affected areas are,” de Lima said in a text message to reporters.

She added that she also ordered the NBI to determine the source and identity of those involved in the circulation of the fake rice and file appropriate charges.

Early this month, a family in Davao City has complained to suffer stomachaches after eating what they believed was synthetic rice.

Resident Carmencita Grinio brought a sample of the fake rice to the National Food Authority (NFA), after the cooked rice reportedly had the appearance of Styrofoam, a synthetic packaging material.

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.

The alleged fake rice sample found in Davao City showed the presence of a “contaminant,” initial government tests showed.

The NFA has reminded the public to distinguish between genuine and fake rice. One tip: cooked real rice gets sticky when pressed between the fingers, while fake rice crumbles.