By: Maritime & Consumer Affairs Desk
| Feature | Safe, Legitimate Tahong | Suspicious "Repack" Tahong | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | | Clear, perforated plastic with a BFAR-issued sticker or tag printed with harvest date. | Generic, unlabeled ziplock bag or recycled newspaper. No tag. | | Smell | Clean, fresh sea breeze scent (like cucumbers). | Strong ammonia, bleach, or sulfur smell (chemical washing). | | Shell Texture | Heavy, closed shells that snap shut when tapped. | Open shells that don't close; slimy, chalky, or cracked surfaces. | | Price | PHP 80 - PHP 120 per kilo (depending on region). | Below PHP 50 per kilo (a major red flag). | | Seller | Licensed vendors in BFAR-accredited public markets (e.g., Farmer's Market, Cubao; Iloilo Fish Port). | "Sidewalk" vendors, unverified online sellers, or mobile vans with no business permit. | tahong 2024 repack
Do not let the allure of cheap tahong compromise your health. Demand traceability. Buy only from BFAR-accredited sources. And share this article—because awareness is the only antidote to the repack epidemic. By: Maritime & Consumer Affairs Desk | Feature
Legitimate mussel farmers in and Bais City (Negros Oriental) reported a 40% drop in sales during Q3 2024 because consumers, terrified of repacks, stopped buying tahong altogether. | | Smell | Clean, fresh sea breeze scent (like cucumbers)
If the tag is missing, the mussel is risky.
A: Yes. In July 2024, BFAR warned against "flash sale" tahong delivered via courier without ice. E-commerce platforms have since banned unlicensed seafood sellers, but check the seller’s accreditation before clicking "Add to Cart."