THE Department of Agriculture (DA) yesterday said it would probe complaints on the quality of rice sold in Kadiwa markets following reports of bukbok or weevils found in stocks sold in a market in Quezon City.
A seller of Kadiwa rice in Murphy Market showed ABS-CBN News that the rice they are selling indeed had unwanted insects.
“Based sa feedback ng mga namimili, meron sila nakita na kuto or bukbok na tinatawag nila, merong buyer na bumalik kasi saku-sako binibili nila, hindi namin nakikita yung loob ng sako kung meron,” said Neil Sañoza, cashier at the Kadiwa Stall of Murphy Market.
Sañoza said several sacks had insects in it, and noted that rice quality was generally better before its price was lowered.
“Karamihan meron eh, meron sakong marami, meron konti lang. Nasa loob ng bigas yung bukbok. Nung P40 pa yung bigas, mas maganda, ngayon, mas madilaw,” he added.
The DA said it will check the incident, but maintained that rice sold in Kadiwa undergo rigorous testing.
“Pina-check namin pero ang sabi ng FTI at NFA, lahat ng bigas ay dumadaan sa mga pagsusuri, kung may ganon talaga, iche-check naman nila yun,” said DA spokesman Arnel de Mesa.
They said this could be an isolated case since other Kadiwa stalls are selling rice at good quality. (ABS-CBN News)
