CEBU, Philippines — Cebu City’s Department of Veterinary Medicine and Fisheries has confiscated over a hundred kilos of rancid meat and stale fishes this month so far while also issuing citation tickets to a meat importer and a lechon dealer.
In its latest report, DVMF condemned 46 kilos of pork carcass last Wednesday due to “yellow discoloration.”
According to DVMF, it is “an indication that the animal has abnormality or disease” that may affect the health of consumers.
DVMF head, Dr. Jessica Maribojoc, emphasized that this is the reason why a post mortem inspection is very important with meat safety their priority.
Last October 5, DVMF alongside the National Meat Inspection Service of RTOC VII and Office of City Markets were able to confiscate 5.8 kilos of liver, 53.5 kilos of pork feet, 89.2 kilos of assorted pork ruffle fat (chicharon bulaklak) and undetermined kilos of pork back fat “due to the violation RA 9296, Meat Inspection Code of the Philippines, Food Safety Act and City Ordinance 2189.
DMVF also issued citations to a siomai processor, meat importer and lechon dealer.
The said siomai processor accordingly violated City Ordinance No. 2189 due to its non-registration as meat processor and RA 10611 or the Food Safety Act of 2013 due to unhygienic processing area.
The lechon dealer and meat dealer, on the other hand, did not register their establishment as a lechon dealer and meat dealer, respectively, which is also a violation of City Ordinance 2189.
A citation ticket was also issued to a meat importer here in the city for violation of City Ordinance No. 2189 and the Department of Agriculture’s Administrative Order No.6 which is the improper handling of chilled, frozen and thawed meat.
“The order states that frozen meat shall be kept at a product temperature no higher than 0 degrees celsius during its handling, storage, distribution and sale,” the DVMF said.
A pushcart was also seen inside the meat transport vehicle to which DVMF said is strictly prohibited as it may cause contamination on the meat. (CEBU NEWS)