By Dennis Abrina – PNA News
CAVITE CITY, Cavite — Authorities seized around 1,737 kilos of “double dead” meat worth PHP300,000 while conducting inspection among meat vendors at the city public market on Saturday.
George Garcia, Meat Inspector III of the National Meat Inspection Service (NMIS), along with Cavite City chief veterinarian Dr. Anna Teresa Baleda, and the city police mobile patrol team, were conducting joint inspections around 2 a.m. at the meat market section at the city public market in Barangay 27 when they spotted the double dead meat.
The team confiscated some 1,737 kilos of assorted double dead meats comprised of pork, chicken and beef, which were peddled by suspected meat vendors identified as Rosauro Estacio, Renato Melitante, Soledad Joyes, Salvador Bangalisan and Merson Marasigan.
The NMIS office said it issue summons and warnings to the involved meat vendors instead of bringing them to the police station.
“Double dead” or tainted meat, also popularly known as “botcha” that are sold in the market, did not pass NMIS examination and are cheaper than the regularly priced meat.
Authorities cautioned the buyers and consumers not to buy tainted meat as this may cause food poisoning and other diseases.
The five vendors are set to be charged with violation of Republic Act 9296 as amended by RA 10536 or the “Meat Inspection Code of the Philippines.”
The joint inspection team confiscated the assorted “double dead” meat that were later stored at the Koldstor Cold Storage in Anabu Hills, Imus City, Cavite. The meat will be turned over to the City Veterinarian’s office for proper disposition.
