Baguio City Confiscates 260 Kilos of Spoiled Chicken at Market

BAGUIO CITY — City food regulators have confiscated nearly 260 kilograms of spoiled chicken from a meat shop located in an alley of the Baguio City Public Market. The operation was prompted by a consumer complaint, according to the City Health Services Office (CHSO). In a statement released on July 29, the CHSO confirmed that the meat shop's products were inspected following a report from a resident. The inspection revealed that the chicken being sold was in an unsanitary condition and unfit for consumption. The confiscated chicken was found to be in violation of food safety standards. This incident highlights concerns regarding food safety management systems in the Philippines, particularly the hygiene standards within public markets in provincial cities. In the Philippines, quality control in the distribution and sale of food is a critical issue for protecting consumer health. Chicken, as a perishable product, requires proper temperature control and sanitary handling, and any deficiencies can directly lead to health issues such as food poisoning. Baguio City authorities have stated their intention to strengthen surveillance and guidance for food vendors within the market to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future. This confiscation serves as an example of heightened consumer awareness regarding food safety and the administrative response to such concerns.