Onions intercepted at the Mindanao International Container Terminal will be destroyed by the Department of Agriculture (DA).
The seized onions were sent to laboratory examination, which confirmed that it is positive for the E. coli bacteria, according to a report from the Bureau of Plant Industry.
Under customs regulations, perishable goods that are proven to be contaminated must be destroyed immediately or returned to their country of origin.
DA Secretary Francisco Laurel Jr. confirmed the disposal of the onions at government facilities to avert the entry of these tainted products into various local markets.
The DA and Bureau of Customs’ records indicate that the illegal shipment arrived at the Mindanao International Container Terminal in May and reportedly originated from China.
Originally, the merchandise was declared to be food products, such as egg noodles, pizza, and others.
The authorities said the consignee is a trading company based in Manila, and it is being investigated for an alleged smuggling attempt.
