DA to destroy 25 metric tons onions due to bacteria for E. coli

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Agriculture (DA) will proceed with the destruction of around 25 metric tons of smuggled onions found contaminated with the E. coli bacteria, following laboratory analysis by the Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI).

The shipment was intercepted by the Bureau of Customs at the Mindanao International Container Terminal in early June after arriving from China on May 26.

It had been misdeclared as processed food items, such as egg noodles and pizza dough. The consignee was identified as Latinx Consumer Goods Trading, a company based in Manila.

In a report submitted to Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr., the BPI confirmed the presence of E. coli at borderline levels in the onion samples, indicating possible fecal contamination.

The agency cited unsanitary handling and poor post-harvest practices as likely sources of contamination, and warned of potential health risks.

“Should this be distributed to consumers, there will be a possible increased growth which may increase health risk to consumers especially when eaten raw and uncooked,” the BPI stated in its findings.

Under customs regulations, perishable goods found to be contaminated must be either destroyed, re-exported to the country of origin, or redirected to a third country.

The DA confirmed the contaminated onions will be destroyed to prevent them from entering the local food supply chain.

“Clearly, these onions aren’t fit for human consumption,” Tiu Laurel said, noting that E. coli exposure can result in serious gastrointestinal illnesses and, in some cases, lead to severe complications.

The DA emphasized that the move aligns with the administration’s directive to ensure food sold in the Philippines is safe, in addition to being affordable and nutritious. The agency also reiterated its commitment to intensifying its anti-smuggling campaign.

The destruction of the contaminated shipment follows a recent inspection at the Port of Manila, where six container vans of onions and frozen fish were also found misdeclared.

The DA has since requested the Bureau of Customs to withhold the release of 59 additional containers currently held at the Subic Bay Freeport, suspected of carrying undeclared agricultural products.

The DA said it is continuing to work with other agencies to enforce the Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Law, and to protect consumers and local producers by securing the country’s food supply from unsafe and illegally imported goods.