Lechon store cum slaughterhouse padlocked

MANILA, Philippines - Quezon City authorities raided yesterday a lechon store in Cubao and padlocked the establishment for operating a slaughterhouse without a city government permit.

Dr. Ana Maria Cabel, city veterinarian, said the closure of the slaughterhouse of Cristy’s Native Lechon Cebu at the corner of N. Domingo Street and P. Tua­zon Boulevard at around 5 a.m. yesterday was made after an inspection was conducted last Wednesday.

“During our inspection, we found out that the lechon store was also operating a slaughterhouse,” Cabel said.

Cabel explained that the store’s permit was just for a retail store so the pork that were slaughtered there are considered “hot meat.”

The city veterinary team allegedly found some dead pig being prepared for slaughter. Cabel claimed they saw around 10 dead pigs. She explained that because the slaughterhouse does not have a permit to operate, the meat products that it produces also do not pass through inspection by authorities.

Cabel said this means that some meat products that could be unsafe for human consumption could still be sold there.

She said that while the lechon store could still operate, it must source its meat products from legally operating slaughterhouses.

Cabel also said they were preparing charges against the owner of the store and the slaughterhouse for violation of the Meat Inspection Code.

The city official said they have been on the lookout for these kinds of establishments amid the increase in meat consumption during the holiday season.