At the port of Subic in Zambales, Philippines, authorities intercepted a shipment containing 144 tons of carrots and onions, valued at approximately P21 million ($374,732), reported to have been smuggled into the country. The Agriculture Secretary, Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr., highlighted the incident, noting the cargo was discovered within five shipping containers on a vessel from China last month. Initially declared as frozen fish egg balls by Betron Consumer Goods Trading, the shipment's true contents were unveiled following an inspection request by the Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) to the Bureau of Customs (BOC) and the Department of Agriculture (DA).
The discovery of the smuggled vegetables, consisting of 58 tons of carrots and 86 tons of onions, has raised concerns over potential revenue loss, public health risks, and the impact on local farmers. The inspection team, including BPI chief Glen Panganiban, BOC Deputy Commissioner Juvymax Yu, and BOC-Subic district collector Ricardo Morales, underscored the violation of import regulations. These stipulate that fresh vegetables require sanitary and phytosanitary import clearances from the BPI, whereas processed food items necessitate permits from the Food and Drug Administration.
Panganiban announced plans for testing the seized vegetables for pesticide residues, heavy metals, and microbiological contaminants to determine their suitability for consumption. Should the vegetables be deemed unfit, they will be destroyed promptly.
Source: Zawya