The Department of Agriculture (DA) has ordered the disposal of more than 500 metric tons of smuggled and rotting agricultural crops, including onions and carrots, valued at P66 million.
The agency stated on Sunday, July 20, that the vegetables were free of microbiological and harmful contaminants; however, they were already in severe deterioration, prompting the Bureau of Plant Industry to recommend their disposal.
The DA stated that the Bureau of Customs seized agricultural commodities at the Ports of Manila and Subic, which mainly contained yellow and red onions, along with a small amount of carrots.
The DA said the shipments arrived in 17 container vans from China recently.
The agency said 13 vans were intercepted in Subic, 12 of which contained red and yellow onions, while one held carrots. Meanwhile, the remaining four container vans were stopped at the Port of Manila and were all filled with onions.
Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said the BPI’s food safety analyses showed that the onions and carrots were free of harmful contaminants such as E. coli and Salmonella, pesticide residues, or heavy metals, but the natural process of decay had set in the crops.
Glenn Panganiban, BPI director, said in two separate tests, the “onions and carrots showed signs of early sprouting, visible rotting, and foul odors indicating putrefaction,” and were no longer fit for human consumption.
“Our priority is ensuring agricultural food commodities will promote public health and food safety. Imported goods, especially those meant to supplement local production, must meet safety standards and be fit for human consumption,” Tiu Laurel explained.
The DA emphasized that in Subic, six of the 13 container vans loaded with onions were misdeclared as chicken lollipops, while other shipments were falsely labeled as smoked frankfurters or chicken sausage.
Meanwhile, the DA announced that the Luxemar Wet and Dry Goods Trading, Beaches Consumer Goods Trading, EPCB Consumer Goods Trading, among others, face severe penalties for violating importation and food safety laws.
“These companies will be added to the growing list of importers blacklisted by the DA. Given the significant value of the cargo, some of these importers may be the first to face legal action under the Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Act,” Tiu Laurel added.
Meanwhile, the DA said the Bureau of Animal Industry has started tests on the Peking duck and chicken breast loaded in two more container vans consigned to 1024 Consumer Goods Trading, but were mislabeled as chicken poppers
