Chicken smelled fishy: Customer complaint leads to seizure of 258 kilos of spoiled chicken in Baguio

BAGUIO CITY — A customer’s complaint over foul-smelling chicken led authorities to seize around 258 kilograms of spoiled chicken meat from a meat shop along Barangay Kayang Hilltop in Baguio City on July 28.

The operation was launched after a resident, whose identity was withheld by authorities, reported purchasing chicken from the establishment that continued to emit a foul odor even after being cooked.

Acting on the complaint, personnel from the City Veterinary and Agriculture Office (CVAO), Public Order and Safety Division (POSD), and Baguio City Police Office (BCPO) conducted an inspection and confiscated around 240 kilograms of spoiled chicken meat.

Later that day, the City Health Services Office (CHSO), through its Environmental Health and Sanitation Division, conducted a follow-up inspection with the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) and the Permits and Licensing Division (PLD).

The team recovered an additional 18 kilograms of spoiled meat, bringing the total confiscated to approximately 258 kilograms.

Inspectors also found several violations at the establishment, including the absence of valid health certificates for workers, failure to require employees to wear personal protective equipment (PPE), and poor sanitation and food-handling practices.

Following the inspection, Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong ordered the immediate closure of the establishment and directed concerned offices to prepare the appropriate charges against its operator.

Spoiled meat poses health risks

Health authorities warned that consuming spoiled or contaminated meat may lead to foodborne illnesses, including infections caused by bacteria such as Salmonella and E. coli.

These illnesses can cause symptoms ranging from vomiting and diarrhea to severe dehydration and other serious complications, particularly in vulnerable individuals.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), an estimated 600 million people worldwide fall ill each year after consuming contaminated food, with about 420,000 deaths annually.

The Department of Health (DOH) also continues to monitor and respond to foodborne illness outbreaks in the Philippines, which may be linked to various contaminated foods and are not limited to meat products.

The latest seizure comes just weeks after authorities uncovered an alleged illegal dog meat operation in Baguio City, adding to public concerns over food safety and sanitation.

The incident also highlights the importance of consumer complaints and coordinated inspections in identifying establishments that may pose risks to public health.