The Department of Agriculture (DA) on Friday led the inspection of two container vans carrying 34 metric tons of smuggled white onions from China valued at around P4.1 million.
Laboratory tests conducted by the Bureau of Plant Industry’s Plant (BPI) Products Safety Services Division and the National Plant Quarantine Services Division showed the onions were contaminated with heavy metals and salmonella, the DA said in a statement.
It said the shipment, misdeclared as processed chicken karaage strips, was consigned to Manila-based Leksei B. Specialized Goods Trading and was seized on April 26, 2025 by the Philippine National Police Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) at a warehouse in Barangay Laug, Mexico, Pampanga.
“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,” said DA Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr.
Heavy metal contamination can cause cancer and severe damage to major organs, while salmonella can lead to food poisoning and serious infections.
BPI said while neither the importer nor the warehouse is accredited, one of the two containers held 1,800 red mesh bags of white onions, and the other contained 1,600 bags, each weighing nine kilograms, or a total of 34,200 kg.
The shipment arrived at the Port of Subic on April 20, 2025 aboard the SITC Hochiminh.
BPI director Glenn Panganiban said the agency would continue working closely with law enforcement to safeguard public health and food security.
“We will continue to work with the CIDG and other law enforcement agencies to curtail these illegal activities not only in our borders but even before they reach our consumers,” he said
