In a bid to prevent unsafe meat reaching consumers, the NMIS-Region 10 disposed of 2,000kg of expired imported pork jowl from the United Kingdom yesterday at Balubal, Cagayan de Oro City.
The NMIS-Region 10 monitoring team found out in August that the meat, which was stored in one of the cold storage warehouses in Cagayan de Oro, was about to expire in October.
Apart from the meat soon reaching its expiration date, the team also observed the meat exhibited discoloration, a tell-tale sign of freezer burn.
Freezer burn is the result of moisture loss from storage in the freezer. It leads to changes in the quality of meat and may result in shriveled produce, tough, leathery, and discoloration.
After reaching the expiration date in October, Dr. Angelita Barcelona, NMIS RTOC 10 Regional Technical Director ordered the meat to be isolated and put on hold. Dr. Barcelona also informed the owner that meat is set to be destroyed by burying. After two months of non-response, the owner finally signed the condemnation slip on December 15, 2020 and the meat was promptly disposed of.
Expiry date, as defined under the Meat Inspection Code of the Philippines, means the date stated in the label of meat and meat products after which they are not expected to retain their claimed safety, quality and wholesomeness and after which, it is no longer permitted to be sold. Under the same law, expired meat is no longer treated as fit for human consumption. # # # (Roberta L. Riguer / DA-NMIS)
