More Spoiled Pig Meat Seized in Balintawak

decrease font size

increase font size

change type face

bookmark this page

email this page

print this page

Latest Pig Industry News

Monday, March 16, 2009

Print This Page

More Spoiled Pig Meat Seized in Balintawak

PHILIPPINES - Authorities seized more than 200 kilos of spoiled "double dead" meat at the MC Market in Balintawak, Quezon City Monday.

Police said they discovered the spoiled meat inside a red Nissan pick-up (TEA-858) parked outside the market past 1 a.m. They said they towed the vehicle to Quezon City Police District Station 1 where they will await the owner.

Under the Consumer Act of the Philippines, the illegal sale of unsafe products like double-dead meat has a corresponding penalty of P1,000 to P10,000 and not less than six months but not more than five years of imprisonment

On 5 March, the National Meat Inspection Service (NMIS) seized a ton of "double dead" pork in a surprise inspection in the same public market in Balintawak, reports ABS-CBN News. NMIS inspectors found several batches of rancid meat, popularly called "botcha," concealed inside plastic bags and weaved baskets inside MC Market.

The meat inspectors also seized 60 kilograms of India buffalo meat.

NMIS authorities said the rotten pork, which may have been carved from sick pigs, are discolored, cold, and was being sold at almost P50 lower than the regular market price.

The meat also did not have an NMIS seal, making it unfit for consumption. India buffalo meat, meanwhile, is supposedly banned from the market because cow slaughter is illegal in India.

An NMIS official said the rotten meat would cause several diseases if eaten.

Officials of NMIS, the Bureau of Animal Industry and local government units earlier said it will target the sources of hot meat to protect consumers.