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4.3 tonnes of spoilt meat seized

According to a senior official, the meat cargo, with a bad odour aroused the suspicion of the customs inspectors who intensively and thoroughly searched the consignment.

Omar Ahmed Al Muhairi, Senior Manager of Air Cargo Operations at the Dubai Customs, on Monday told Khaleej Times that lab tests proved that the meat confiscated this week was unfit for human consumption. “The meat imported from a European country was also found to be packed in bags other than the specified type usually used for importing meat.”

The Food Control Office of the Dubai Municipality at the Dubai Flower Centre, the authorised and specialised body for controlling food imports conducted several tests on the samples taken from the seized meat.

“Proved to be unfit for human consumption, the stinky meat was destroyed in coordination with the Food Control Department of the Dubai Municipality.”

Al Muhairi said the customs inspectors are highly skillful and well-experienced in handling foodstuff consignments, especially meat, as they are trained to spot the spoilt meat by checking odour and color. In addition to the consistent training they receive at the Dubai Customs, the ongoing cooperation with the Dubai Municipality in terms of food control contributed much to the success of the seizure ensuring food hygiene and safety conditions as per the adopted criteria and standards in the UAE.

Last year, the Dubai Customs seized another consignment of spoilt meat from an African country weighing one tonne, consequent to the test results the Dubai Municipality provided, stating that it was unfit for human consumption.

“All imported brands of food stuff are subject to strict customs inspection and control since the Dubai Customs is the front defence line of the country against all threats against people’s safety and health,” he added.

ahmedshaaban@khaleejtimes.com

• UAE