SMUGGLED ONIONS TEST POSITIVE FOR E. COLI— DA

AGRICULTURE Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel has warned the public against buying imported onions after samples taken from a public market in Manila tested positive for E. coli.

Tiu Laurel issued the warning following a visit at the Paco Public Market in Manila.

He said the imported red onions in the Paco Public Market were found to be infected with E. coli or Escherichia coli following a test.

E. coli is commonly found in the feces of humans and animals.

“This is a food safety issue and a clear threat to public health,” Tiu Laurel said.

“We will order the confiscation of those onions as required under the Food Safety Act of 2013,” he added.

The Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) has formally informed the local government of Manila about the test results.

The BPI noted that the findings indicate poor sanitation in the handling and processing of the red onions.

Imported onions, which are larger than local varieties, have steadily surfaced in markets across the country despite the absence of import permits.

Tiu Laurel said the Department of Agriculture (DA) has not issued any permits for onion imports following the directive of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to safeguard local farmers from the influx of foreign-grown allium.

He instructed the BPI and other DA units to intensify market surveillance and submit smuggled onion samples for immediate testing.

Tiu Laurel also requested assistance from the Philippine National Police (PNP) to bolster intelligence efforts and crack down on smuggling.

Meanwhlle, the 25 metric tons of red onions intercepted in Misamis Oriental are undergoing tests for contaminants.

If found safe, the DA plans to ask the Bureau of Customs (BOC) to turn over the shipment for public distribution.