Kochi: Despite intensive raids by corporation, health department and food safety authorities, the sale of stale meat is still being reported from various parts of the city. Officials admit that it is difficult to prevent the sale of meat unfit for consumption as a large quantity of it is being brought from other districts to the city.
On Saturday, 200 kg of stale meat was seized from west Kochi and two persons were arrested for selling stale chicken under the guise of duck meat. A big quantity of meat had been stored in a cold storage unit which has a licence only to store fish.
Meanwhile, corporation health committee chairman T.K Ashraf said that the meat was stored in the unit because of the fishing off-season due to the trawling ban. “However, action will be taken against the traders for carrying the meat in vehicles without having a freezing facility,” he said.
In view of frequent reports of stale meat sale, the civic administration has decided to intensify inspection on meat stalls, markets and slaughterhouses. “Since the demand for meat and meat products is high during the month of Ramadan, Health Officers have been assigned to conduct accelerated inspections in meat stalls, slaughterhouses, hotels and restaurants in and around the city. Officials will also keep a check on meat being brought from neighbouring districts,” added the health committee chairman.
Since, it is difficult to identify the rotten meat if mixed with good quality beef or mutton, people are apprehensive over buying it. Considering the high demand during Ramadan, health experts have already sounded the warning bell against consumption of unhygienic meat.
