29/07/2026
๐ง๐๐ฆ๐ ๐๐ข๐ฅ๐๐ ๐ฆ๐๐๐ญ๐๐ฆ ๐ฆ๐ฃ๐ข๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ก, ๐จ๐ฅ๐๐๐ฆ ๐ฃ๐จ๐๐๐๐ ๐ง๐ข ๐๐ ๐ฉ๐๐๐๐๐๐ก๐ง ๐ช๐๐๐ก ๐๐จ๐ฌ๐๐ก๐ ๐ ๐๐๐ง
July 28, 2026 - The Meat and Fishery Products Monitoring Task Force confiscated 240 kilograms of spoiled chilled chicken from a stall at the Baguio Public Market Meat Section, following reports from concerned consumers who had purchased spoiled chicken meat from the public market.
Acting swiftly on the complaints, personnel from the Baguio City Veterinary and Agriculture Office (CVAO)-Abattoir and Animal Products Quality Assurance Services Division inspected the reported meat stall with the assistance of the Mayorโs Office โ Public Order and Safety Division (POSD) and the Baguio City Police Office (BCPO). The operation resulted in the confiscation of the spoiled chicken meat to protect consumers from potential food-borne illnesses and prevent the sale of unsafe food products.
Aside from the confiscation, the stall owner was issued a Notice of Violation for violations of R. A. 10611 (Food Safety Act of 2013), R. A. 7394 (Consumer Act of the Philippines), R. A. 9296 amended by R. A. 10536 (Meat Inspection Code of the Philippines), City Ordinance 88-2023 and City Tax Ordinance 2012-01 which govern food safety and the proper handling and sale of meat and meat products within the city.
The CVAO reiterated its commitment to safeguarding public health by ensuring that meat and meat products sold in local markets comply with Food Safety Standards. The office also reminded consumers to remain vigilant when purchasing meat and to check products carefully before buying.
As per Food Safety Standards, consumers should always ask vendors for the appropriate Meat Inspection Certificate (MIC) for newly slaughtered or chilled meat or the Certificate of Meat Inspection (COMI) for imported meat. Buyers are likewise advised to avoid purchasing "hot meat" or undocumented meat sold outside authorized market channels, as these products may have bypassed mandatory inspection procedures and could pose serious health risks. Consumers are also reminded to check that fresh meat is properly chilled, has a fresh and neutral odor, and does not exhibit signs of spoilage such as slime, discoloration, or foul smell.
The CVAO reminds meat vendors to consistently observe proper hygiene, storage, and handling practices of meat to ensure the safety and quality of food products being sold to the public. Also, the office emphasized that compliance with food safety regulations is essential for protecting consumers from foodborne diseases and maintaining public confidence in the city's markets.
CVAO encouraged the public to immediately report suspected spoiled meat to the appropriate authorities to facilitate prompt inspection and enforcement, reaffirming its commitment to ensuring that only safe, wholesome, and properly inspected food products reach consumers. // C Cimatu & P Mendoza
