By Stephanie Sevillano
MANILA – The Department of Agriculture (DA) on Friday said the PHP4.1 million worth of smuggled white onions from China tested positive for heavy metals and salmonella.
This was confirmed by tests conducted by the Bureau of Plant Industry’s (BPI) Plant Products Safety Services Division and the National Plant Quarantine Services Division on the recently seized 34 metric tons (MT) illegal shipment in Mexico, Pampanga.
In a statement on Friday, DA Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. stressed the need and urgency to prevent the delivery of unsafe agricultural commodities in local markets.
“Preventing the entry of misdeclared agricultural goods is crucial not only to ensure food safety but also to stop the potential spread of plant diseases and pests,” he said as he led the inspection of the confiscated products.
According to the DA, heavy metal poisoning may lead to cancer and major body organ damage, while salmonella bacteria may cause food poisoning and other infections.
Tiu Laurel lauded the efforts of the Philippine National Police (PNP)-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) for its prompt actions against the illegal shipment.
“We thank our police officers for their vigilance and for working with the DA to protect both public health and the livelihoods of our local farmers,” he said.
BPI director Glenn Panganiban, meanwhile, vowed to continue ensuring public health and food safety through continuous partnership with other law enforcement bodies.
BPI said neither the importer nor the warehouse is accredited by the agency.
“We will continue to work with the CIDG and other law enforcement agencies to curtail these illegal activities not only on our borders but even before they reach our consumers,” he said.
On April 26, the PNP-CIDG seized two container vans carrying a total of 34,200 kilos of white onions misdeclared as chicken karaage strips, in Barangay Laug, Mexico, Pampanga.
The shipment arrived at the Subic Port via Hong Kong-flagged SITC Hochiminch on April 20 and was consigned to a certain Leksei B. Specialized Goods Trading based in Manila. (PNA)
