P4 MILLION WORTH OF EXPIRED FROZEN MEAT SEIZED IN MARIKINA; 12 ARRESTED

Police intercepted about P4 million worth of expired frozen meat products, which were supposedly being illegally recycled, repacked, and sold online, at a warehouse in Barangay Tañong, Marikina City.

The operation came after an online buyer saw and complained that the frozen meat was expired, and sought to return the product.

“Nung nakita po niya na expired ay kinontak niya ‘yung kanyang agent para i-inform na ‘yung kanyang nabili ay hindi na maganda ‘yung texture, may amoy na,” Col. Jenny Tecson, chief of the Marikina City Police Station, said.

Acting on a court-issued search warrant, police and National Meat Inspection Service (NMIS) officials uncovered about 13 tons of frozen meat varying from chicken, pork, beef, and fish.

“Kung sakali na itong mga frozen goods o meat products na ito ay ma-distribute sa merkado, talagang magkakaroon po ng sakit na maidudulot sa mga kakain nito dahil hindi siya fit for human consumption,” Tecson added.

According to authorities, the imported products allegedly from Brazil, Spain, and the United States did not have proper documentation.

Twelve individuals were arrested and now face charges for violating the Food Safety Act of 2013 (RA 10611) and the Meat Inspection Code of the Philippines (RA 10536).