Talisay on the lookout for double-dead meat

CEBU, Philippines - Throughout the Yuletide season, the office of the Talisay City Veterinarian will be extremely alert for rotten or “double-dead” meat and imported meat products that may be sold in the city’s various public markets.

City administrator Richel Bacaltos said his office has doubled its efforts especially that the holidays are coming and the consumption of meat products is expected to increase.

Bacaltos said a team from the city veterinarian has been constantly monitoring all public and satellite markets to ensure that no “double-dead” and imported meat cuts are sold there.

Last month, at least 84 kilos of imported pork and chicken meat was seized by the city veterinarian’s office in a simultaneous raid in Lagtang Public Market and in the satellite markets of the villages of Tanke and Dumlog.

“Double-dead” meat is considered unsafe for human consumption due to the possible presence of disease that might have caused the death of the animal.

Citing the directive of the Department of Agriculture which orders that imported meat must be transported in a vehicle that has refrigerated facilities, Bacaltos said a meat vendor selling this kind of product should have a freezer.

He, however, said the city has already allowed about 30 stallholders in Lagtang Public Market to have a separate power connection for their freezers. - THE FREEMAN