NMIS meets with meat producers

CEBU, Philippines - The National Meat Inspection Service conducted its second nationwide public consultation on the rules and regulations on the handling of fresh meat in meat markets yesterday at the Crown Regency Hotel.

One of the concerns raised by the meat producers is the packaging of the sold meat. Under Section 7 which is the Proper Handling of Meat Products, it is stated that frozen meat and meat products shall be displayed and sold in the meat stalls in sealed primary packaging.

But the meat producers found the regulation to be expensive as they have to change the whole packaging of the meat they produce. However, the NMIS clarified that it is only in the box of the meat products that will be labeled, not for each quantity of meat sold.

The said labeling will give the consumers information with regards to the source of the meat being sold.

The said public consultation is aimed to get all the suggestions and comments of the different local and foreign meat producers and traders in the meat industry.

NMIS executive director Jane Bacayo said that with the public consultation, they will be able to consult the different people in the meat industry on the rules and regulation with regards to the hygienic handling of the meat products in the wet market.

He said they really want to have the comprehensive rules and regulations that will address the issues on chilled, frozen and warm meat.

Represented by the local and imported meat producers as well as traders, the said public hearing was conducted to address the issue on handling of the products because of the allegations of the importers that the NMIS is only targeting the imported meat products.

Bacayo said Administrative Order No. 22 not only addresses imported meat but also locally produced meat products.

“We are just trying to address the issue on the handling of the products. The handling practices, whether it is frozen, chilled, or warm meat it should be handled in such a way that the meat products will not be contaminated,” said Bacayo.

Because of past reports the agency received regarding improper handling of meat products, Bacayo said that they cannot afford to leave it as is since it concerns the public or the consumers. The government must take immediate and proper actions to address such problems.

“There are so many laws pertaining to the handling of the meat products, we only wanted to meet all these regulations in one administrative order that addresses all issues,” Bacayo added.

The order prescribing the guidelines on hygienic handling of fresh meat in markets is just a proposal but after meeting all the questions, comments and suggestions of the different people in the meat industry, the said guidelines will be finalized for the approval of the secretary.

 This is the second public consultation. The first one took place in Manila last February. The third will be this coming Thursday in Davao City.

“I believe that we are in the right direction as we give chance to the local and foreign meat producers or traders to voice out their opinions and suggestions and meet halfway. After all we all have the same interest, which is to protect the consumers,” Bacayo said. – (FREEMAN)