Shoppers worry over fake rice; chicken prices remain high

Shoppers are now more cautious of the rice they buy after it was discovered that fake rice has infiltrated the local market.

"Syempre kailangan natin mag-ingat sa pagpili ng bigas kasi very important ang bigas sa atin. That is our staple food. Kailangan mag-ingat sa ating health," said one shopper in Kamuning Market.

Rice vendors admit that sales have been affected because of the fake rice issue.

READ: NFA: Tiyaking tunay ang bigas na isasaing

Roy, a vendor in Kamuning Market, said a customer returned some rice she brought on Saturday because she fearted it was fake rice.

"Kasi yung bigas na tinitinda namin imported. Yung bigas na yon ganon talaga may halong puti-puti. Yun ang [nirereklamo] nila baka raw foam na yon," said Roy.

It turns out it was Kokuyu rice, which naturally has white streaks on the grain.

On Commonwealth, marketgoers checked the texture and the smell of the grain before purchasing.

"Syempre natakot ako," said one shopper about seeing the news about the fake rice. "Masama yun sa kalusugan natin eh."

"Kaya hindi ako basta-basta bumibili ng bigas kahit maganda. Kasi yun maganda tingnan eh, tapos nung sinaing nadurog," she added.

National Food Authority (NFA) rice is currently pegged at around P30 per kilo.

Sinandomeng rice remains the bestseller.

NFA rice: P27 – P32
Premium rice: P38
Sinandomeng: P34 – P42
Dinorado: P48 – P56
Brown rice: P50 – P60

Chicken prices

Chicken is still at P145 to P150 per kilo, with a whole chicken costing P140.

Vendors said the high cost of chicken is due to shortage in the past months.

"Dahil sobrang init nung mga nakaraang buwan, nagkashortage tayo tapos allocation habang nagpapalaki ulit. Pag konti kasi ang supply, ang presyo ng puhunan tumataas," said meat vendor Leni Bautista.

On the other hand, pork is stable at P190 per kilo.

Kasim, pigue, pork chop, giniling: P190/kilo
Liempo: P200 – P210
Pata and ribs: P150 – P170 — BM, GMA News