FDA shuts over a dozen meat shops in Kolhapur dist

Kolhapur: The Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) has shut down over a dozen mutton shops across the district over the last 30 days for failing to comply with guidelines, said M S Kembalkar, assistant commissioner of the FDA’s Kolhapur unit. He added that the licence of one mutton shop from the city was suspended while in Jaysingpur, the licences of nine shops have been cancelled. Four shops were shut down in Kagal last week due to non-compliance.

According to the FDA official, the action was taken under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. There are around 550 mutton shops across the district, while Kolhapur has over 150 shops. Kembalkar said the guidelines for meat shop owners include an elaborate list of dos and don’ts which are frequently overlooked. 

“Meat shops near religious places and vegetable markets are strictly forbidden. According to the rules, meat sellers have to remain beyond a 50-metre radius of religious places. They must also ensure their shops are located at least 100 metres from the main gate of such places. Meat sellers cannot slaughter any animal inside a shop, and have to put up curtains or tinted glass so that the meat is not visible to the public.” 

He further said that all people working at meat shops must obtain health certificates from government doctors. The meat will also have to be certified by authorised veterinarians. The FDA is the issuing authority for certificates in urban as well as rural areas. “Meat vendors have also been directed not to slaughter any ill, milch or pregnant animal. All the knives and other implements must be made of steel and there should be no trace of rust on them. Meat shops must have proper waste disposal arrangements and should keep a record of all meat purchased from slaughterhouses. Moreover, the fresh orders specify that meat can only be transported in insulated freezer vehicles from slaughterhouses and should be stored in refrigerators with transparent doors,” said Kembalkar.

“We are aware that this is an exhaustive list of guidelines, but meat shop owners need to comply with it. If, during an inspection, rules are found to be violated, the meat in the shop can be destroyed and the shop can lose its licence. A fine is also imposed,” he said.

FDA guidelines for meat shops

Ill, milch or pregnant animals are not to be slaughtered

Knives, other implements must be made of steel and must be rust-free

Proper waste disposal arrangements are necessary

Record of all meat purchased from slaughterhouses must be maintained

Meat can only be transported in insulated freezer vehicles from slaughterhouses and should be stored in refrigerators with transparent doors.

Meat shops need to be equipped with geysers

Shops must be beyond a 50-metre radius of religious places

• Animals must not be slaughtered inside a shop; curtains or tinted glass must be installed so the meat is not visible