DA flags suspected veggie smuggling at Cartimar Market

The Department of Agriculture (DA) flagged suspected smuggling activities and issued a warning to consumers about potentially dangerous imported vegetables during a market visit at Cartimar Market in Pasay City on Friday.

During the inspection, DA Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. cited issues such as non-conforming packaging labels for vegetables like tiger chili, garlic sticks, and Chinese yam that could mislead consumers due to lack of health certificates issued by the Bureau of Plant Industry.

Retailers admitted they were selling these imported vegetables without import permits and expressed uncertainty about their sources, raising concerns over potential heavy metal content and pesticide use.

The DA plans to conduct investigations with retailers' cooperation and track down sources of smuggled goods in coordination with the Bureau of Customs (BOC) and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).

To address these issues, the DA intends to issue new labeling regulations after a thorough review with the DTI.

Additionally, Laurel noted an increase in pork prices, reaching PHP480 per kilo, while farmgate prices were only PHP220 to PHP240 per kilo, prompting efforts to address pricing concerns.