The Department of Science and Technology-National Research Council of the Philippines (DOST-NCRP) is implementing a research program seeking the production of contaminant-free farm foods and ensuring food safety in the country.

The project is called “FRESH FARMS” or Food Risk and Safety Analysis in Agricultural Farms towards Improvement of Control Strategies for Food Safety. It is one of the NRCP projects under the Saganang Pagkain Para sa Lahat or SAPAT Program of the Council’s National Integrated Basic Research Agenda (NIBRA).

“Divided into three project components, FRESH FARMS aims to detect parasites, potentially harmful bacteria, and heavy metals from fresh farm produce and environmental samples in select farms in the provinces of Laguna and Quezon,” the DOST said.

The research program is spearheaded by Dr. Vachel Gay V. Paller of University of the Philippines Los Baños-Institute of Biological Sciences (UPLB-IBS).

The first component of the FRESH FARMS focused on the parasite contamination and transmission in selected agricultural farms in Laguna and Quezon provinces in a bid to improve control strategies for food safety.

Also involved in the project are Dr. Bernadette Mendoza, also from UPLB-IBS and Assistant Professor Christian de la Cruz of Laguna State Polytechnic University.

Mendoza handles the project detecting bacterial pathogen contamination in farms, while Mendoza studies the heavy metal contamination.

“They will also visit the existing practices of farms and know how these practices increase the chances of contamination of their produce,” the DOST said.

Project leader Paller warned the public against eating raw leafy vegetables, saying they may be contaminated because of direct contact to soil, animals, and water.

Vegetables that are eaten raw are not subjected to heat which could possibly destroy harmful parasites and pathogens, she explained.

"Leafy vegetables, particularly the red ruby lettuce, have “uneven crevices” or corners where eggs of parasites could be hiding. If left uncleaned, it poses danger to human health,” she cautioned.

During their study, Paller “detected hookworm eggs and other parasitic, worm-like species in samples of leafy vegetables in organic and conventional farms,” the DOST said.

It said possible causes are use of manure as fertilizer, presence of farm and feral animals, as well as rodents and pests.

De la Cruz, meanwhile, found that selected samples of soil and irrigation waters from farms were contaminated with heavy metals, particularly arsenic and lead.

“Although he did not report if the levels of contamination pose danger to human health, he explained that heavy metals can be toxic even at very low concentrations. To reduce chances of heavy metal contamination, he suggested using organic pesticides rather than synthetic pesticides,” the DOST said.

It said toxic heavy metals usually come from agrochemical applications, industrial discharges, car exhausts, and mining.

“We are the problem but worry not, we are also the solution,” de la Cruz said.

The research program will be showcased at the 6th National Research and Development Conference (NRDC) on Nov. 10 and 17.

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