В Багуио не обнаружено ядовитых крабов после проверки рынка

BAGUIO CITY — No suspected poisonous crabs were found during a joint inspection in the seafood section of the Baguio City Public Market on Monday, following a report of an alleged poisonous crab sold to a consumer. The inspection was conducted by the Meat and Fishery Products Monitoring Task Force of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources-Cordillera (BFAR-CAR), together with personnel from the City Veterinary and Agriculture Office (CVAO), City Treasury Office-Market Division, and the Mayor’s Office Public Safety and Order Division. BFAR-CAR officer in charge Nazario Briguera led the inspection, which sought to verify the report and determine whether crab species known to be toxic are being sold at the market. Authorities said they found no suspected poisonous crabs during the inspection. The inspection followed a report from a consumer who purchased crabs from the market’s seafoods section on Aug. 22 and later noticed an unfamiliar crab mixed with the edible talangka she had bought. The consumer described the unfamiliar crab as about 3 to 4 inches long, brownish-red and with distinct markings. Concerned that it might be poisonous, she decided not to consume the purchase and discarded it. CVAO personnel met with the consumer on Aug. 24 to obtain additional information and retrieve the crab for proper identification and analysis. However, the specimen was already disposed of and could no longer be examined. Because the actual specimen was unavailable, BFAR-CAR and CVAO said they could not confirm its species or determine whether it is poisonous. Authorities emphasized that photographs alone are not enough to accurately identify a crab or establish whether it is safe for human consumption. Proper species identification and, when necessary, laboratory analysis are required. During the market inspection, authorities also distributed information posters on poisonous fish and crabs to help educate consumers and vendors about the risks associated with consuming unidentified marine species. CVAO said its personnel conduct daily inspection and monitoring of seafood sold at the seafoods section as part of efforts to ensure food safety. Consumers are encouraged to report unfamiliar or suspicious seafood immediately to BFAR-CAR or CVAO and, whenever possible, preserve the specimen for proper assessment. Authorities also cautioned the public against relying solely on online searches, artificial intelligence, photographs or social media posts to determine whether a marine species is poisonous. CVAO thanked the consumer for bringing the concern to the attention of authorities, noting that public vigilance plays an important role in addressing potential food safety risks. Some reef crabs contain toxins that are harmful to humans and can even cause death when eaten.