By Benjamin Cuaresma
MANILA — Government authorities dismantled recently three unauthorized poultry processing facilities in Santa Rosa, Laguna, confiscating more than 2.5 metric tons of chicken products and taking two suspects into custody for alleged violations of meat inspection regulations.
The operation was carried out on July 7 by agents of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Laguna District Office in collaboration with inspectors from the National Meat Inspection Service (NMIS).
Officials said the enforcement action stemmed from intelligence gathered after a complaint was filed in late June, prompting an investigation into businesses allegedly engaged in unlicensed poultry dressing operations.
The probe revealed that the establishments were operating without the permits required by the local government and had failed to obtain mandatory accreditation from the NMIS, raising concerns over food safety and public health.
Authorities recovered 2,515.72 kilograms of chicken products believed to have been processed outside the standards prescribed under the country’s meat inspection laws.
The two individuals arrested during the raids have been subjected to inquest proceedings and are expected to face charges for violating the Meat Inspection Code of the Philippines.
Meanwhile, all confiscated poultry products were transferred to the NMIS for proper destruction in accordance with government sanitation and disposal protocols.
The NBI said it will continue working with regulatory agencies to crack down on illegal food processing operations that pose potential health risks to consumers and undermine legitimate businesses.
ia/xf
