The Department of Agriculture (DA) has warned against buying illegally imported onions—often noticeably larger than locally grown allium—after samples collected last week from the Paco Public Market in Manila tested positive for E. coli.
“This is a food safety issue and a clear threat to public health,” said Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. “We will order the confiscation of those onions as required under the Food Safety Act of 2013.”
Tiu Laurel also instructed the Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) and other DA units monitoring public markets to be on alert for suspected smuggled onions and to immediately submit samples for testing. Last week, the DA chief sought the assistance of the Philippine National Police to help gather intelligence and catch onion smugglers.
The DA has not issued any permits for onion imports, in line with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive to safeguard local farmers, who have just completed their harvest.
BPI Director Gerald Glenn Panganiban said he has formally informed the Manila local government about the test results from the Paco market samples, which indicated fecal contamination and poor sanitation in the handling and processing of the red onions.
“In order to protect the public and consumers from food-borne illnesses and unsanitary conditions, we recommend the confiscation of the said commodities,” Panganiban wrote in his letter to the Manila LGU.
Meanwhile, a separate shipment of 25 metric tons of red onions, intercepted by the BPI and the Bureau of Customs (BOC) at the Mindanao International Container Terminal in Misamis Oriental, will also be tested for contaminants—including heavy metals, pesticide residues, and harmful bacteria.
If the onions are found safe for consumption, Tiu Laurel said the DA will request the BOC to turn them over for government redistribution rather than allow the food to go to waste.
