Grain group official assures: No fake rice in Talisay

CEBU, Philippines – The Grain Retailers Confederation of the Philippines-Cebu (Grecon) assured that no fake or synthetic rice is being sold in the Talisay City's public markets.

Semy Cabuenas, chairman of Grecon in Talisay and one of the Grecon national officers, said there is no cause for the public to be alarmed because there is no truth to reports about fake rice.

"Wala man gyud nabalita nga naa'y fake rice diri," Cabuenas said.

"So far, wala man gyud istorya. Giadto bitaw sila kay gipangutana kung asa nila gipalit, dili man pud motug-an," Cabuenas added.

The Grecon has more or less 2,000 members in the Visayas.

Fake rice caught the country's attention following reports of a certain Carmencita Grino from Davao who complained of buying fake rice. The alleged fake rice reportedly became "like styrofoam" when cooked.

The Talisay City Council already passed a resolution requesting the city agriculture and the city health office to inspect, monitor and evaluate fake rice that may have entered and sold in the local market.

City Councilor Richard Francis Aznar, who is the chairman of the Committee on Health, said that fake or synthetic rice can cause health hazards like stomach pains.

Meanwhile, Cabuenas said there is no truth to reports that said there is scarcity of rice supplied by the National Food Authority.

"Wala'y pagkuwang sa bugas. Naa gyu'y daghang NFA, dali lang mahurot kay dili nato ma-control ang mamalitay," Cabuenas said.

He added that NFA-accredited retailers have been selling NFA rice only, adding that this sells well being the cheapest among the rice products.

The price of NFA rice with 25 percent broken grains is P27 per kilo, while the other variety, with 15 percent broken grains is P32 per kilo.