The National Meat Inspection Service in Central Visayas assured on Tuesday that there are no expired frozen goods that are being sold in the region.
NMIS-7 regional director Dr. Alvin Leal told DAILY TRIBUNE that the agency is constantly monitoring stocks inventory in all accredited cold storage facilities.
“Our LGU counterparts are also vigilant in conducting enforcement activities in their respective jurisdictions,” Leal said. “I have my confidence and trust to our registered meat importers in the region that they are religiously implementing and following the food safety standards required by our office.”
The intensified monitoring was triggered after the Department of Agriculture warned consumers in Metro Manila of expired frozen goods that may have penetrated local markets from a Navotas warehouse found to be storing expired meat and fisheries products.
To recall, the DA-7 and NMIS-7 confiscated 1,705 kilos of frozen imported meat products in a Chinese restaurant in Cebu City which included duck, goose, black chicken and pork allegedly worth P7 million.
DA Assistant Secretary James Layug disclosed that the confiscated meat from Luy’s Classic Teahouse failed to present a certificate of meat importation.
“The DA will bring legal action against violators under Republic Act 10611 or the Food Safety Act of 2013 and Republic Act 10845, also known as the Anti-Agricultural Smuggling Act of 2016,” Layug said.
Meantime, the Cebu City’s Department of Veterinary Medicine and Fisheries with Market Operations Division/ Office of the City Markets conducted a surprise inspection in Carbon Public Market and seized 35.70 kilograms of assorted pork meat products described as “greenish discoloration and foul odor.”