Saturday, November 27, 2010

Philippines: Govt assures meat safe from bird flu, other health threats

Saturday, 27 November 2010
BY James Konstantin Galvez , Reporter

The Department of Agriculture (DA), through the National Meat Inspection Service, assured the public that all imported and locally produced poultry meat products stored in all NMIS-accredited meat storages are certified safe and free from bird flu and other types of diseases.

In an order, NMIS Executive Director Jane Bacayo instructed all field offices to stamp the “Bird Flu-free” logo on all Meat and Meat Products Inspection Certification (MMPIC) issued from the agency’s accredited cold storages and distribution centers.

Bacayo also ordered all NMIS regional officers to remain vigilant in monitoring the safety of all meat and meat products in all accredited meat plants in the country—all imported and locally produced meat must be subjected first to inspection before they are distributed for retail.

At the same time, the official encouraged consumers to look for the MMPIC certificate when they buy meat at retail stores, so that they can be assured that it is safe and free from any hazardous contamination that might compromise their health.

MMPIC is a document issued by a meat inspection officer that certifies the safety and quality of meat that comes from all NMIS- accredited meat plants.

Besides the bird-flu scare, consumers were also warned over the proliferation of “botcha” or “double-dead” meat in some markets in Metro Manila.

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