DA warns vs. smuggled onions

Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel is warning consumers against buying imported onions after samples taken from a public market in Manila tested positive for E. coli.

- BY DEXTER BARRO II

Last week, Laurel ordered a more stringent campaign against onion smuggling after finding imported red onions at Paco public market in the capital city during a market visit.

The DA has since tested the onions and found that they are infected with E. coli or Escherichia coli, which is commonly found in the feces of humans and animals.

"This is a food safety issue and a clear threat to public health. We will order the confiscation of those onions as required under the Food Safety Act of 2013," said Laurel in a statement on Wednesday, June 24.