DA to dispose 500 metric tons of smuggled vegetables

MANILA, Philippines — More than 500 metric tons of smuggled vegetables seized at the ports of Manila and Subic are set for disposal after the Department of Agriculture (DA) saw visible signs of spoilage.

The Bureau of Customs and the DA’s Inspectorate and Enforcement office intercepted 17 shipping containers carrying an estimated P66 million worth of red and yellow onions as well as carrots – misdeclared as meat products.

The vegetables tested negative for E. coli, Salmonella, pesticide residues or heavy metals. But Bureau of Plant Industry director Glenn Panganiban confirmed in two separate tests that the condition of the vegetables rendered them unsafe for consumption despite meeting food safety thresholds for contaminants.

The vegetables from China were falsely labeled as chicken lollipops, smoked frankfurters and chicken sausages.

Several importers, including Beaches Consumer Goods Trading and EPCB Consumer Goods Trading, are facing penalties for violations of import and food safety regulations.