KOCHI:
Giving scant regard to health concerns of Kochiites, civic authorities
hurriedly disposed of approximately 1,000kg of rotten beef seized from a
meat dealer in Mattancherry after a raid on Saturday. Food safety
department officials, who are empowered to take legal action under the
Food Safety and Standards Act, were not part of the raid. The meat,
which was more than one-week old and stored in unhygienic conditions,
was reportedly brought from Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. The meat was
buried at Brahmapuram waste treatment plant without collecting samples
for lab tests.
"Since food safety officials were not available, corporation health officials carried out the raid. It was being readied for supply on Saturday evening. It was not suitable for consumption," said health supervisor of city corporation T K Beena, adding that the dealer, Kochukoya, had been supplying such meat for the past one year.
Food safety department officials said that it is not possible to take legal action against Kochukoya as seizing and disposing measures were carried out in their absence. "We had organized joint operations with corporation officials in various parts of the city. But this time we were not informed about the inspection," said district food safety officer K Ajith Kumar.
The civic administration said the dealer didn't have a valid licence for storing and supplying meat. The shed was registered as a facility for peeling prawns. The meat, which was supplied to Kochukoya at Rs10 per kg, was to be sold at Rs 30-40 per kg to restaurants and other eateries. The authorities also seized the goods auto of the dealer. The seized meat included mainly liver and heart. "We were trying to catch this supplier for quite some time. Repeated inspections will be carried out in the coming days to prevent such problems," said chairman of health standing committee T K Ashraf.
Civic authorities registered a case against Kochukoya under the Kerala Municipality Act for operating without a valid licence and storing meat in unhygienic conditions. The meat was stored in ice boxes said officials, adding that it should have been stored at minus 18 degrees.
The cost of beef in city is around Rs 200 to Rs 225 per kg. While beef biriyani is priced at Rs 80-Rs 110, a plate of beef fry/roast costs Rs40 to Rs 80. Meanwhile, Kerala Hotel and Restaurant Association denied the claim that the meat was to be sold to restaurants.
"Since food safety officials were not available, corporation health officials carried out the raid. It was being readied for supply on Saturday evening. It was not suitable for consumption," said health supervisor of city corporation T K Beena, adding that the dealer, Kochukoya, had been supplying such meat for the past one year.
Food safety department officials said that it is not possible to take legal action against Kochukoya as seizing and disposing measures were carried out in their absence. "We had organized joint operations with corporation officials in various parts of the city. But this time we were not informed about the inspection," said district food safety officer K Ajith Kumar.
The civic administration said the dealer didn't have a valid licence for storing and supplying meat. The shed was registered as a facility for peeling prawns. The meat, which was supplied to Kochukoya at Rs10 per kg, was to be sold at Rs 30-40 per kg to restaurants and other eateries. The authorities also seized the goods auto of the dealer. The seized meat included mainly liver and heart. "We were trying to catch this supplier for quite some time. Repeated inspections will be carried out in the coming days to prevent such problems," said chairman of health standing committee T K Ashraf.
Civic authorities registered a case against Kochukoya under the Kerala Municipality Act for operating without a valid licence and storing meat in unhygienic conditions. The meat was stored in ice boxes said officials, adding that it should have been stored at minus 18 degrees.
The cost of beef in city is around Rs 200 to Rs 225 per kg. While beef biriyani is priced at Rs 80-Rs 110, a plate of beef fry/roast costs Rs40 to Rs 80. Meanwhile, Kerala Hotel and Restaurant Association denied the claim that the meat was to be sold to restaurants.
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