THE Department of Agriculture (DA) on Thursday said it is investing P55 million to fund the Bureau of Plant Industry’s (BPI) laboratory network for detecting nitrate and nitrite contaminants in plant-based foods.
The project will boost data-driven food safety regulations with a baseline of scientific evidence for future national safety standards, the DA said.
“This is part of our continuing efforts to ensure food security [and] protect public health while preparing our capacity [to] broaden access for Philippine plant products to markets abroad,” Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said.
The DA has actually equipped nitrate-testing capabilities in five BPI laboratories in Quezon City, Cebu, Baguio, Davao and Cagayan de Oro. These facilities, operated by the BPI’s Plant Product Safety Services Division, can now analyze key contaminants commonly found in vegetables, particularly leafy greens, which are more at risk for nitrate accumulation.
Initial recovery tests are complete, and validation is ongoing to ensure accurate and consistent results, the DA said. Since the Philippines lacks local regulatory benchmarks, the DA is utilizing European Union standards as an interim reference point.
Aside from lab upgrades, the funds also cover advanced ion chromatography equipment, specialized chemicals and technical personnel training.
Once fully operational, the system will support monitoring of high-risk crops, including vegetables and fruits, across the country, allowing regulators to track contamination levels more systematically, the DA said.
The project is expected to increase consumer confidence in food safety, especially vegetables, as well as support exporters in meeting rigorous global standards.
However, the DA admitted that this may raise compliance requirements, forcing producers to adjust to meet new protocols.
