MANILA — The Department of Agriculture is allocating P55 million to improve food safety monitoring capabilities by upgrading laboratories under the Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) to detect nitrate and nitrite contaminants in plant-based food products.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. said the initiative forms part of the administration’s efforts to strengthen food safety standards and expand export opportunities for Philippine agricultural products.

“This is part of our continuing effort to ensure food security, protect public health while preparing our capacity broaden access for Philippine plant products to markets abroad,” Tiu Laurel said.

Under the program, the BPI has introduced nitrate testing capabilities in five laboratories located in Quezon City, Cebu City, Baguio, Davao City, and Cagayan de Oro.

The facilities, operated by the Plant Product Safety Services Division, are now capable of analyzing contaminants commonly present in vegetables, particularly leafy greens that are more susceptible to nitrate accumulation.

According to the department, initial recovery tests have already been completed, while validation procedures are still ongoing to ensure the reliability and consistency of laboratory results.

In the absence of established Philippine benchmarks, authorities are temporarily using European Union standards as reference points for nitrate monitoring, highlighting the need to develop local food safety standards.

The program also includes funding for ion chromatograph equipment, laboratory chemicals, and technical training for personnel.

Once fully operational, the upgraded system is expected to support nationwide monitoring of high-risk crops such as vegetables and fruits, allowing regulators to systematically track contamination levels.

Officials said the initiative is expected to help improve consumer confidence and support exporters seeking to comply with stricter international food safety standards, although tighter monitoring may also require producers to meet more rigorous testing requirements.

The DA said the initiative is part of efforts to establish science-based food safety regulations while strengthening the country’s competitiveness in global agricultural markets.