The Veterinary Office of the city government of Muntinlupa confiscated yesterday some 640 kilos of pork and beef being sold in public markets in the city after inspectors noted that they did not carry the inspection seal from the National Meat Inspection Service (NMIS).

The seized meats were donated to charitable institutions such as the Elsie Gaches Village in Alabang, The Haven and Marilac Hills.

Mayor Jaime Fresnedi said the confiscation was made in line with the local government’s campaign against the selling of unsafe or hot meats in all public markets in the city.

Fresnedi said the veterinary office monitors and inspects all six public markets in the city, including the Alabang Public Market. He said the inspectors are on the lookout for meat not carrying the NMIS inspection seal.

He said this is being done to prevent cases of food poisoning among consumers brought about by animal illnesses such as foot and mouth disease (FMD). This is also in support of the NMIS campaign to ensure that the meat consumers buy passed NMIS approval.

The NMIS and local meat inspectors give their quality certificates after pigs and cows are properly slaughtered at the two accredited slaughterhouses in the city. Certification fee is R90 per animal head.

The office said it is essential for pigs and cattle to undergo the right slaughtering process to ensure good meat quality.

NMIS officials said they discourage backyard slaughterhouses and close down illegal ones to ensure the absence of hot or double-dead meats.

They said hog raisers and market vendors in Muntinlupa are becoming more aware of the need to sell only good quality meat since they face confiscation of their meat products if they are found to be of substandard quality.

Because of their zealous efforts, the city’s meat inspectors have incurred the ire of some vendors.

Some inspectors have even received threats from the vendors.

Fresnedi said, however, the meat inspectors are only doing their job as the city tries to become FMD-free by the end of this year.

The mayor said Muntinlupa is on the last or eradication phase of its anti-FMD campaign.

The last recorded outbreak of FMD in the city was in October.

The city’s veterinary office said the absence of FMD may be attributed to the city’s efforts to sanitize all meat products sold in the city. The office said all 806 hogs raised by 112 backyard hograisers get their regular vaccination.

The office also gives lectures on the proper care of pigs and sanitary practices to keep surroundings clean.

Last December, the city seized 52 dead pigs due for roasting by a certain "lechon" trader in Barangay Tunasan. The pigs were said to have died during their transport to Manila. The owner of the store is now facing a case for violating the consumer’s act. He faces imprisonment of one to five years, officials said.