ILIGAN City ― Imported rice and fruits consumed in the Philippines may pose health risks due to chemical treatments, a former city administrator warned on Thursday.
Lawyer Leo M. Zaragoza, who is also an agricultural engineer, told reporters that imported rice is “99 percent mixed with chemicals” to prevent spoilage.
“This kind of rice, consumed by many of us, is not really good for our health,” he said.
Zaragoza also raised concerns about imported fruits like apples and grapes, which he said are similarly treated with chemicals.
To reduce potential risks, he recommended soaking these fruits in salted water before consumption.
His comments come amid ongoing discussions about the cost and safety of rice, which remains far from the P20 per kilo price promised by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
Zaragoza’s claims have yet to be substantiated by health or agriculture officials.
