3 tonnes of rotten meat seized at Central

CHENNAI: Corporation officials on Tuesday seized 3,300 kg of rotten meat from the Jaipur-Chennai Express at Chennai Central, bringing to light the transport and sale of such meat. Smugglers continue to bring and supply such meat in the city because of the lack of stringent action, say experts.

Corporation officials said the seized meat was meant for various eateries. "It appears to have come from Sikar in Rajasthan. But it was not packed with ice or preservatives," said an official.

Officials of the corporation and food safety department had seized several tonnes of rotten meat from trains coming from Andhra Pradesh and Rajasthan in the past one and a half years.

Sources say those bringing in such meat supply it to several traders, including those in Chintadripet. "Many eateries purchase the meat because it is cheaper than meat of animals slaughtered locally. Severalhotels continue to mix rotten meat along with low grade meat," alleged Chennai Mutton Merchants (retailers) Association general secretary M Anwar Basha Qureshi. He said the existing corporation slaughterhouses were in a poor condition. "We also want to set up more slaughterhouses in the city."

Tamil Nadu Hotels Association secretary R Srinivasan said hotels did not use rotten meat as it would affect their reputation. "Such meat is used by roadside shops and those located near Tasmac outlets."

Health experts fear the sale of rotten meat stored in unhygienic conditions could lead to outbreak of diseases. Consumption of such meat, they say, can cause gastrointestinal problems, especiallyfood poisoning.

The civic body regulates meat stalls under Sections 309 and 349 (21) of the Chennai CityMunicipal Corporation Act, 1919. Officials said butchers without licences under Section 309 of the Act will not be allowed to sell meat products.