Smuggled agricultural products may contain harmful chemicals that can endanger the health of Filipino consumers, Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan warned on Saturday, October 25, after he revealed that illegally imported products bypass safety checks and may be unfit for consumption.
In a radio interview on DWIZ, the senator said that agricultural smuggling harms not only the country’s agricultural sector and its farmers and fisherfolk, but also ordinary Filipinos who may unknowingly consume vegetables and meat that have been injected with formalin.
Pangilinan, who chairs the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Food, and Agrarian Reform, said that he received intelligence reports indicating that some smuggled agricultural products from China meant for disposal were instead treated with formalin upon entering the country and later entered commercial distribution.
Formalin is a solution of water and formaldehyde commonly used as a disinfectant and preservative for cadavers and laboratory specimens. It is not intended for use on food and is considered toxic when ingested.
“Nakakalason yan. Murang pinapasok dito dahil dapat tinatapon na yan – unfit na yan. Nilulublob sa mga kemikal para mag-mukhang sariwa at saka nilalabas,” the senator said.
“Ang taumbayan, hindi lang mga magsasaka at mga mangingisdang lokal ang talagang naapektuhan dito: pati ang ating (mga) mamimili,” he added.
Pangilinan also noted that some of the recently seized smuggled agricultural products that crossed the country’s borders bypassed the Sanitary and Phytosanitary Import Clearance (SPSIC)—which ensures plant shipments meet health standards—by being misdeclared as processed food.
“In the end, nakakasira ito sa kalusugan ng ating mga kababayan. Sadyang nilalason ang ating mga kababayan. At pangalawa, talagang pinapatay ang ating local farmers at fisherfolk,” he lamented.
The senator remains at the forefront of protecting farmers, fisherfolk, and consumers’ health as he leads agricultural reforms in the Senate. He continues to push for stronger measures against smuggling and stricter safeguards to ensure the public’s well-being.