The Department of Agriculture (DA) is set to recommend destroying around 650 metric tons of abandoned red onions from China, pending final laboratory results confirming they are unsafe for public consumption.
The shipment arrived between December 2025 and January 2026 at the Manila International Container Port, filling 26 containers. It was never claimed by its importer, M2000 IMEX Co. Inc., even though proper import permits were in place. Joint inspections by the DA, Bureau of Customs (BOC), Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI), and Senate Agriculture Committee head Francis Pangilinan found severe spoilage after months in storage—including leaking containers, heavy mold, and widespread sprouting.
DA officials noted initial checks already show the onions are likely unfit to eat, emphasizing that protecting public health comes before allowing any spoiled produce into circulation. BPI has taken samples for formal testing, with results expected within three days. The cargo totals 72,215 bags valued at roughly ₱86.7 million, plus unpaid duties and taxes of around ₱9.7 million.
Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. stressed the incident shows why strict monitoring of imports—from port entry to distribution—is essential for both food security and safety. The BOC has formally seized the shipment under customs laws covering abandoned goods, and authorities are arranging proper disposal to prevent the onions from being resold or reused.
