Rice sample passes palatability test – NFA

By: Rodrigo S. Victoria

NAVAL, Biliran – The appearance of molds with distinct brownish and yellowish colors made the provincial quality assurance officer of the National Food Authority (NFA) here in Biliran province to conclude that the rice samples taken from some rice traders, this town, passed the palatability test.

A team of NFA-Biliran personnel composed of Leoncio C.Abad , provincial operations officer, Clemente P. Bruza ,provincial quality assurance officer and Geralyn Blancaflor, enforcement and investigation officer, conducted a random inspection on some rice traders in Biliran province in July 1.

The conduct of random inspection to some rice traders within the area of coverage of NFA-Biliran is in line with the directive of NFA administrator Renan B. Dalisay to intensify market inspection on rice traders over entry of alleged fake rice in the country.

The alleged suspicious SECHIN Sinandomeng premium white rice without the supplier’s name and address printed on the sack itself taken from one of the rice traders selling rice here in Naval during the conduct of random inspection on July 1, passed the palatability test, Bruza stated in his report to Lorna Sison-Ordiz, NFA-Biliran provincial manager.

“I observed the appearance of molds with distinct colour like brownish, yellowish and some spotted black in color” Bruza said in his report on the result of the palatability test conducted after three days from date of inspection.

However, Bruza, who is a senior grains operations officer of NFA-Biliran, disclosed that the black markings on the alleged suspicious rice subject to palatability test is highly recommended for further chemical analysis to ensure that there is no other chemicals that might be detrimental to human health.

“Fake rice will not be spoiled after four days, will not stick to the hands hands after it is cooked, liquid substance will come out after squeezing it and worst it will cause stomach discomfort after eating”, he informed in an interview during the conduct of the random inspection.

For her part, Ordiz informed the Biliranons that the province is now fake rice-free based on the latest random inspection of stores selling rice in public markets conducted by NFA-Biliran in the province of Biliran. # (fj/PIA 8 Biliran)