Makati residents warned against 'botcha'

MANILA, Philippines - The Makati City Veterinary Services Office (MVSO) on Friday warned residents against buying tainted or “double-dead” meat commonly known as “botcha.”

MVSO chief Dr. Vivien Manalastas, city veterinarian, issued the warning following the recent seizure of some 25 kilos of “botcha” meat while being delivered to a market in Barangay Rizal.

“We advise the buying public, especially the residents of Makati, to be extra vigilant in buying meat in the markets as some unscrupulous vendors may mix double dead meat with fresh ones in an attempt to fool consumers,” Manalastas said.

Manalastas said consumers should not be lured into buying contaminated meat products offered at a cheaper price because these contain heat-resistant bacteria that can cause not just illness, but death to those who ingest these even if cooked well.

The city veterinarian’s office also reported to Mayor Jejomar Erwin Binay the measures initiated by her office in collaboration with the National Meat Inspection Service (NMIS) to strengthen its meat inspection services and ensure the strict compliance to meat safety regulations of meat vendors in all 10 markets in the city.

Inspected were the markets of Poblacion, Olympia, Tejeros, Cumavena, Bangkal, Pio del Pilar, Sacramento, Kalayaan, Guadalupe and Palanan.

Manalastas said the MVSO has issued and distributed letters and memoranda to all market owners and administrators regarding the strict observance of hygienic meat handling, reproduced and distributed informational tarpaulins to raise consumer awareness on meat safety, and deployed meat inspectors to monitor and apprehend meat shops that may be selling frozen meat. The NMIS prohibits the sale of frozen meat in the market when the stall is not equipped with freezers, chillers or refrigerators.

Manalastas also reminded meat distributors to strictly observe the regulation of using a covered vehicle to transport the products to destinations to avoid contamination.

Under City Ordinance 2011-018, the Makati City Meat Inspection Code, only accredited vehicles by the MVSO shall be allowed to transport/deliver meat, aquatic products within the city. For destinations outside the city, the vehicles must be accredited by NMIS.

First-time violators will be fined P3,000 and their meat products will be confiscated. The penalties for the second offense are a P4,000-fine and confiscation of products plus one month impounding of illegal transport. On the third offense, violators will be fined P5,000 while products will be confiscated and unaccredited vehicle will be impounded for six months.

Under the said ordinance, all meat markets/channels engaged in selling of meat, aquatic and meat products shall be subjected to veterinary inspection and examination before distribution and sale within the city. Dealers, retailers and wholesalers of meat are prohibited from selling their products outside registered meat markets in Makati. Before securing or renewing their business license, anyone involved in the meat trade should first secure a Veterinary Inspection Certificate from the MVSO.

Violators of the said provision shall be penalized as follows: First Offense – P4,000.00 fine and confiscation of products; Second Offense – P4,500.00 fine, confiscation of products and three-week suspension of operations of establishment; Third Offense –  P5,000.00 fine, confiscation of products, closure of business establishment and imprisonment of offender of not less than six months.