By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

The Provincial Veterinary Office (PVO) has ordered Negros Occidental local government units to help in monitoring the sale of meat products this holiday season.

PVO head, Dr. Renante Decena, said the order is to ensure ‘double-dead meat,’ or meat taken from an animal that had previously died of disease, is not being sold at the province’s major markets.

The provincial official said meat inspectors and market supervisors should closely monitor products being sold to ensure it has meat inspection certificates and stamps from slaughterhouses.

Decena said the National Meat Inspection Service (NMIS) office in Bacolod City is currently accepting complaints regarding suspected ‘double-dead meat.’ Complainants are requested to bring a sample of the suspected product, which would then be examined by NMIS.

If the sample tests positive as ‘double-dead meat,’ the involved shop faces charges as well as cancellation of their permits./DGB, WDJ