Baguio authorities confiscate 81.55 kg of spoiled fish

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines — Authorities confiscated 81.55 kilograms of fish due to spoilage during supermarket inspections in Baguio City on Oct. 26, while a supermarket was issued a notice of violations over alleged deceptive lighting and the display of meat and fish together, according to the city government’s Public Information Office.

The Meat and Fishery Products Monitoring Task Force conducted the inspection in supermarkets within the city’s central business district and along Magsaysay Avenue as part of efforts to enforce food safety and sanitation standards.

In a report released by the City Public Information Office, the City Veterinary and Agriculture Office (CVAO), headed by Dr. Silardo Bested, issued a notice of violations to one supermarket over the alleged use of deceptive lighting and the intermingling of displayed meat and fish.

The city government did not identify the establishment in its announcement.

The inspection covered meat and seafood products displayed for sale, cold storage facilities and work areas.

Inspectors also checked establishments’ compliance with business permit requirements.

The task force advised vendors of meat, poultry and fishery products to observe proper hygiene, storage and handling practices to maintain food safety and product quality.

Consumers were also urged to examine meat and seafood before purchasing, checking for visible signs of spoilage, unusual odors and other indications that products may no longer be suitable for consumption.

The interagency task force includes personnel from the CVAO, Department of Trade and Industry-Baguio-Benguet, city government offices, National Meat Inspection Service-Cordillera Administrative Region, Food and Drug Administration-Cordillera and Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources-Cordillera.

The inspection forms part of the city government’s efforts under Mayor Benjamin Magalong to protect public health and ensure compliance with food safety regulations.