Smuggled chicken from China tests positive for salmonella

Senator Francis Pangilinan on Friday revealed that smuggled frozen chicken seized in October tested positive for salmonella, making it unfit for human consumption and a serious health risk.

The contaminated products, packed in two 40-foot containers at the Manila International Container Port (MICP), were valued at ₱12.96 million. 

The National Meat Inspection Service (NMIS) confirmed the presence of the bacteria in samples from the seized chicken breast fillets, which were illegally imported from China.

Pangilinan stressed that the illegal influx of agricultural products not only endangers public health but also undermines the local poultry industry. 

“Hindi ito tama. Ito ay isang krimen – hindi lang laban sa ating ekonomiya pero sa kalusugan at sa dignidad ng bawat Pilipino. Not to mention, our farmers and fisherfolks continue to suffer due to the entry of these smuggled products from China,” he said.

The senator, along with Bureau of Customs Deputy Commissioner Vincent Philip Maronilla, inspected the misdeclared shipments at MICP on October 27. The containers were falsely declared as containing 5,300 cartons of fish balls, but were found to hold sacks of frozen chicken breasts.

Pangilinan noted that intelligence reports indicate these smuggled agricultural products are consistently coming from China, highlighting the need for stricter monitoring to protect consumers and local producers alike.