Smuggled onions test positive for salmonella

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Agriculture (DA) has warned consumers against buying imported white onions after a shipment of smuggled bulbs tested positive for salmonella and heavy metals.

The contraband, placed in two shipping containers, was seized by agents of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) in Mexico, Pampanga on April 26.

The farm produce, valued at P4.1 million, reportedly came from China and arrived at the port of Subic on board the container ship SITC Hochiminh on April 20.

The shipment was transferred to a warehouse in Barangay Laug in Mexico town.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel said the DA has not issued sanitary and phytosanitary import clearances (SPSICs) for white onions since February.

The non-issuance of SPSICs was in accordance with a directive of President Marcos to protect local onion farmers and ensure public health, Tiu Laurel said.

The shipment was misdeclared as processed chicken karaage and consigned to the Leksei B. Specialized Goods Trading based in Manila.

The onions were subjected to laboratory analyses and tested positive for salmonella and heavy metals, according to the Bureau of Plant Industry.

BPI chief Gerald Glenn Panganiban directed offices of the National Plant Quarantine Services Division nationwide to intensify surveillance and monitoring of warehouses and public markets.

Tiu Laurel noted the smuggled onions were limited only to two shipping containers. He said previous cases of smuggling activities involved several shipping containers.

The DA gave assurance that it would continue inspecting markets to protect consumers from contaminated farm produce.

CIDG-Pampanga chief Lt. Col. Joseph Almaquer said initial reports indicated that the onions were intended for distribution in Divisoria and parts of Nueva Ecija.