Smuggled white onions that were initially planned to be sold in Kadiwa rolling stores were found to be contaminated with e. coli and are thus unfit for human consumption, according to the Rex Estoperez, deputy spokesperson of the Department of Agriculture (DA).
Estoperez told the Laging Handa public briefing reiterated all white onions available in the market today are smuggled no import permits were issued for the commodity.
Estoperez said the sale of white onions even through online portals is illegal.
Prior to the discovery of the bacteria in smuggled white onions, the DA considered selling them at lower prices in Kadiwa rolling stores.
The DA’s monitoring of public markets in the National Capital Region yesterday showed that average retail price of onion is at P300 per kg.
