MANILA, Philippines — Authorities confiscated over 400 kilos of “botcha” or double-dead meat sold by ambulant vendors in Divisoria, Manila early yesterday morning.
The tainted meat was sold on Juan Luna and Ilaya streets along C.M. Recto Avenue for as low as P120 per kilo, according to officials of the Manila Veterinary Inspection Board (VIB).
The regular price of pork meat in the market ranges from P220 to P230 per kilo.
The VIB said the meat was delivered to Manila from Bulacan and did not pass examination by the National Meat Inspection Service.
Authorities advised the public not to buy tainted meat as it may cause food poisoning, diarrhea and other diseases.
No one was arrested in the operation.
The VIB warned sellers of hot meat that they face imprisonment and fines of P100,000 up to P1 million for violation of the meat inspection code.