Quezon City chicken meat shops under close watch

Dressed chicken meat shops in 16 markets in Quezon City are being closely monitored by city officials to improve sanitary and safety standards in these establishments.

City veterinarian Dr. Ana Marie Cabel wants a stricter monitoring of these shops to ensure their compliance with sanitation and consumer code requirements.

“The protection of the consuming public will remain a priority of the city veterinary office, especially with the holiday season fast approaching,” she said.

The official identified 49 chicken meat shops that need to be closely watched. Most of these shops operate in the Kamuning, Commonwealth, Suki and Frisco markets.

“The dressing operations have been going on for years, yet their permits are either for retailer or wholesale stores,” Cabel said.

She said permits issued by the market development and administration department only allowed these shops to operate as retailers and wholesalers, and not as operators of slaughterhouses.

Cabel said a similar observation had also been aired by the city treasurer’s office headed by city treasurer Ed Villanueva.

The city veterinarian recommended that the city government require the shops to comply with business requirements, or they will no longer be allowed to operate.

Under Republic Act No. 9396 or the Meat Inspection Code, local meat establishments must secure business permits to facilitate their registration with the National Meat Inspection Commission.

Only last week, Cabel’s office seized eight kilos of assorted meat products from nine meat processing facilities operating in Barangays Talipapa and Payatas, Sauyo Road and Mindanao Avenue.

The products—ham, salami, skinless longganisa and siomai—were reportedly processed under unsanitary conditions and did not undergo proper food preparation and handling processes.

Cabel said charges of violating the sanitation code have been filed against the owners of the meat processing plants.