MANILA, Philippines- Sinabi ng Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) nitong Biyernes na nagpositibo sa pesticides at heavy metals ang mga puslit na gulay na nasabat sa Navotas.
Mahigit 300 toneladang white onions, carrots, kamatis at enoki mushrooms ang nakumpiska mula sa makeshift cold storage facilities at 40-footer container van noong kalagitnaan ng Agosto dahil sa kawalan ng sanitary and phytosanitary import clearances (SPSIC) para sa pag-aangkat.
“The food safety analysis confirms that the allegedly smuggled crops contain pesticide residues, heavy metals, and microbiological contaminants that do not comply with our food safety regulations,” pahayag ni BPI Director Gerald Glenn Panganiban.
Inihayag ni Panganiban na partikular na nagpositibo ang mga ito sa iba’t ibang pesticide residues na “harmful to humans,” kabilang ang organophosphates, organochlorines, at pyrethroids, maging heavy metals tulad ng cadmium at lead.
Natukoy din ang microbial contaminants kasama ang E. coli, Listeria monocytogenes, at Salmonella spp, dagdag niya.
“We cannot risk the health of Filipino consumers. The DA legal team will determine legal actions that can be taken against these unscrupulous traders who not only evaded tariffs but also endangered consumer health,” giit naman ni Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. RNT/SA
