DVMF’s ‘Hot Meat’ Report

The Department of Veterinary Medicine and Fisheries continues to protect the public from consuming unsafe meat from the restaurants, market, poultry houses and other sources.

For the month of July, a total of 868.19 kilos of meat were confiscated for condemnation or were censured for failure to meet the requirements for public consumption.

An estimated weight of 431.69 kilos of meat comprised of whole hog and chicken were found out to be dead on arrival either from the stockyard or due to heat stroke. These came from four restaurant and food chain within the city.

Another 436.5 kilos of meat body parts from different species had been reported to be infected with several kinds of infections and animal diseases.

For the hot meat, meat inspectors had confiscated a total of 19.5 kilos of questionable meat from two places. Chicken heads weighing around 11 kilos were taken from a seller in Carbon Market due to meat deterioration. These could not have been properly stored causing microbial growth, a risky factor for several diseases.

Condemned meats still undergo assessments and when findings fails to meet the department’s standards they are either fed to the dogs or buried in the department’s pet cemetery.

In another case, a roasted pig or “lechon baboy” weighing 8.5 kilos was also confiscated for having no MIC or meat inspection certificate. This was then donated to the Pari-an Drop In Center since the meat was still in good condition for eating.

The Public Health Division of DVMF appeals to the buying public to be mindful during purchasing meats and do thorough inspection before consuming. They also urged all to report any suspicions on meat irregularities to the office, and one may call at 2324483. DVMF office is located at North Reclamation Area at the back of SM City. (Gessa Gunhuran, PIO Staff)