NFA to suspend erring traders

LAOAG CITY, Jan. 29 (PIA) – The National Food Authority (NFA) in Ilocos Norte said overpricing of NFA rice by traders will lead to suspension of their accreditation and payment of fines.

Beverly Peralta, provincial manager of NFA-Ilocos Norte, said the agency has started monitoring NFA rice outlets to ensure that traders are selling at standard prices.

“Accredited NFA rice traders caught selling at a price higher than the regulated price will be suspended and will be fined with a corresponding amount,” Peralta said.

Prices of NFA rice ranges from P27 to P32 per kilo. The cheaper variety has a dull white texture while the more expensive variety is whiter.

“The only difference is the color, but the taste is the same, they are both good,” Peralta said.

To monitor the commodity’s prices, the agency has deployed employees to check NFA outlets of possible overpricing even as Peralta advised consumers to report to NFA incidents of overpricing.

“If sellers carry the NFA logo in their rice boxes, then they are accredited traders,” Peralta said.

She said consumers must be keen in monitoring the sellers’ weighing scale to avoid fruad.

The NFA has provided weighing scales in several outlets to help the consumer monitor their rice purchases. (Cherry Joy D. Garma/PIA-1, Ilocos Norte)