Reports of expired rice in the southwest is fake news- Sadiya Farouq

Honourable Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster management, Sadiya Umar Farouq has reacted to stories of expired rice reported by Southwestern states.

Responding to questions at the Presidential Taskforce on COVID-19, Farouq said stories of expired rice are fake and unfounded news.

Giving details regarding the clearance processes involved in rice distribution, she said the food was handed to the Ministry by customs before they were cleared by NAFDAC.

Clarifying the reports once again, the Minister said the rice was neither expired nor spoilt.

"The rice distributed to the states was handed over to us by the customs service before being accessed by NAFDAC who issued a clearance before the goods were released for distribution to the state. The rice is certified and fit for human consumption," she said.

"We had an issue in Oyo. We saw the news that all the rice we took to the Southwest was bad. I want to say that it is fake news. I spoke with the Chairman of the NGF and he said that the rice is very good.

"Besides, If we keep foodstuffs especially grains in a damp place, it will have colouration but that doesn't mean it is not fit for consumption," the Minister explained.