The Department of Agriculture (DA) has ordered stricter rice sampling procedures to combat potential mislabeling, the Philippine News Agency reported. The move aims to ensure that rice sold in the market matches its declared variety and origin, protecting consumers from deceptive practices.
Under the new directive, rice samples will be collected more frequently from retail outlets and warehouses, with rigorous testing to verify labels. The DA emphasized that mislabeling, such as passing off lower-grade rice as premium or misstating the country of origin, undermines market integrity and harms both consumers and honest traders.
The agency warned that violators face penalties under existing agricultural and consumer protection laws. The enhanced sampling effort is part of broader measures to stabilize the rice supply chain and ensure transparency in the sector, which is a staple food in the Philippines.