Buyer warns suspected poisonous crab in Baguio Market; Inspection finds none, advises public to “report and don’t eat unfamiliar seafood”

BAGUIO CITY — A consumer raised the alarm after reportedly finding an unfamiliar crab among edible talangka purchased from the Baguio City Public Market, prompting authorities to inspect the market and remind the public about the risks of consuming unidentified marine species.

Raiza Marie Ricohermoso raised the concern online after her husband purchased crabs from the market’s Fish Section on August 22, 2026. She said she became concerned after noticing an unfamiliar crab among the edible talangka and researching its possible toxicity.

“Poisonous crab from Baguio public market… Nabili ng husband ko sa palengke fish section. After thorough research poisonous pala to. Nailuto ko pa kasama yung edible talangka. Maybe naisama sa paghuli ng mangingisda? Maybe hindi din alam nung nagtitinda?”

Ricohermoso described the crab as noticeably larger than the other crabs, measuring about three to four inches, with a brownish-red color and distinct markings.

She said the crab had already been cooked with the edible crabs before she became concerned about its possible toxicity.

Based on her own online research, Ricohermoso believed the crab belonged to the Xanthidae family and identified it as Atergatis integerrimus, which she described as potentially highly toxic.

Concerned about the possible risk, she discarded the entire pot of cooked seafood and thoroughly cleaned the cooking utensils.

She also reported the matter to the Baguio City Veterinary and Agriculture Office (CVAO) and the Public Information Office (PIO) to raise awareness among consumers and seafood vendors.

In an update to her post, Ricohermoso said she was also communicating with a representative of the Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (DA-BFAR) regarding the reported crab.

Authorities could not confirm if crab was poisonous

According to the CVAO, Ricohermoso formally reported the matter to the CVAO-Abattoir and Animal Products Quality Assurance Services Division on August 23.

The following day, CVAO personnel met with Ricohermoso to obtain first-hand information and retrieve the crab for proper identification and analysis.

However, the specimen had already been discarded and was no longer available for examination.

BFAR-CAR and CVAO said they could not confirm the identity of the crab or determine whether it was poisonous because the actual specimen was no longer available for examination.

Authorities emphasized that photographs alone are not sufficient to establish the species of a crab or determine whether it is poisonous.

Proper species identification and appropriate laboratory analysis are necessary to determine whether a crab is safe for human consumption.

Market inspection finds no suspected poisonous crabs

Despite the absence of the reported specimen, the BFAR-CAR-led Meat and Fishery Products Monitoring Task Force, together with personnel from the CVAO, City Treasury Office-Market Division, and Mayor’s Office Public Safety and Order Division, conducted a joint inspection of the Fish Section of the Baguio City Public Market on August 24.

The inspection was led by BFAR-CAR OIC Regional Director Nazario Briguera to verify the report and check for potentially poisonous crab species being sold in the market.

Authorities said no suspected poisonous crabs were found during the inspection.

The inspection team also distributed information posters on poisonous fish and crabs to raise public awareness and remind consumers about the risks of consuming unfamiliar marine species.

The CVAO said its personnel conduct daily inspection and monitoring of seafood being sold at the Fish Section.

Public urged: Don't eat unfamiliar seafood

Authorities reminded consumers and seafood vendors to exercise caution when purchasing, handling, selling, or consuming unfamiliar marine species.

Consumers who encounter unfamiliar seafood are advised to report it immediately to BFAR-CAR or CVAO and, whenever possible, preserve the specimen for proper identification and assessment.

Authorities also warned the public against relying solely on photographs, online searches, artificial intelligence, or social media posts to determine whether a marine species is poisonous.

While the crab reported by Ricohermoso has not been scientifically confirmed as poisonous, the incident prompted authorities to inspect the market and reinforce food-safety reminders among consumers and seafood vendors.