Question & AnswerQ&A (NFA LETTER-CIRCULAR NO. AO-2013-04-003)
The moisture content of a given rice and corn commodity shall not exceed 14% on an 'as received' basis.
The commodity shall be free from objectionable and foreign odors, live insect pests, and other contaminants.
The NFA derives its power under Section 6 (a) sub-paragraph viii of P.D. 4, as amended, and the Consumers Act of the Philippines, Republic Act 7394.
The aflatoxin content shall not exceed 20 ppb (parts per billion) for human food as recommended by the FAO-WHO Codex Alimentarius Commission.
Palay is classified into types based on the size of brown rice grain: Very Long Grain, Long Grain, Medium Grain, and Short Grain.
Grades are based on purity (minimum % by weight) and foreign matter (maximum % by weight): Premium Grade (98% purity, 2% foreign matter max), Grade No.1 (95% purity, 5% foreign matter max), Grade No.2 (90% purity, 10% foreign matter max), Grade No.3 (85% purity, 15% foreign matter max).
Milled rice is classified both by size (Very Long Grain, Long Grain, Medium Grain, Short Grain) and degree of milling (Overmilled, Well milled, Regular milled, Undermilled).
Required information includes classification (e.g., well milled, regular milled), variety (optional except for special rice), grade, net weight in kilograms, name and address of the miller, name and address of owner (if applicable), iron fortified rice indication (if applicable), and specifics for special rice.
Violations and non-compliance with the Letter Circular shall be subject to penalties imposed under Section 29 of the Act promulgated under P.D. 4, as amended, and other pertinent laws, notwithstanding provisions of any law or regulations to the contrary.
Big packages use color-coded woven polypropylene sacks: Sky Blue for Special Rice, Light Yellow for Premium Grade Rice, White for Well Milled Rice Grade No.1 and Grade Nos. 2, 3, 4 or 5 (Super), and White for Regular Milled Rice Grade Nos. 2, 3, 4 or 5; White for Under Milled Rice grades.
Shelled corn is classified by type as White, Yellow, or Mixed Corn, and by classification as Flint or Dent varieties.
One cavan of rice or corn commodity shall be a unit containing fifty (50) kilograms net weight of such commodity.
No, unpacked milled rice and corn for retail must be displayed in white painted rice/corn boxes which shall be free of posters and advertisements.
Price per kilogram, classification, variety (optional except for special rice), and indication if the rice is iron-enriched (starting 2004) must be printed in bold letters on the color-coded price tag.
The National Seed Industry Council (NSIC) certifies special variety palay.