Authorities seized Thursday morning around 263 kilograms of pork ribs suspected to be “botcha” (double-dead meat) during a routine inspection at New Antipolo Market on Blumentritt Road in Manila.
The “hot meat” was confiscated by members of the Manila Veterinary Inspection Board (VIB) Special Enforcement Squad and the National Meat Inspection Service (NMIS).
According to Dr. Nick Santos, chief of the Manila Veterinary Inspection Board (VIB), the pork ribs emitted “foul odor and discoloration” and were also “improperly handled and stored.”
Santos said this was a clear violation of Republic Act No. 10611 or the Food Safety Act as well as Republic Act No. 10536 or the “Meat Inspection Code of the Philippines.”
“The VIB Enforcement Squad Team is intensifying its campaign against unscrupulous individuals who will take advantage of the Christmas season for their illegal activities, victimizing the consuming public, particularly our Manileños,” Santos said.
The routine inspections by the Manila VIB were launched in line with Manila Mayor Isko Moreno’s marching order to intensify the anti-botcha campaign. (Erma Edera)
