A large quantity of putrefied meat recovered & disposed of at Khushal Garh Highway Checkpost

ATTOCK, Mar 12 (APP):In a joint operation by the Punjab Food Authority, Livestock Department and district administration, a large quantity of putrefied meat was recovered and disposed of at Khushal Garh Highway Checkpost while four persons were arrested and a case was registered against them.

Official sources said the Food Safety Team (FST) received information from SI Bilal, incharge of Khushal Garh Highway Checkpost, and ASI Tufail Khattak that suspected poultry and beef meat was being transported in vulnerable conditions without a proper cold chain in ten blue chemical drums on a passenger bus bearing registration No. LES-7144.

The bus was travelling from Gujranwala to Kohat and was intercepted at Khushal Garh Checkpost in tehsil Jand of district Attock.

Following the information, the Food Safety Team along with Dr. Muzzafar Hussain, Deputy Director Livestock Jand, reached the spot and inspected the meat for safety and quality. During inspection, the meat was found putrefied, contaminated and unfit for human consumption. The Deputy Director Livestock issued a duly signed and stamped report declaring the meat unfit for human consumption.

In light of the report, approximately 16.4 mounds of putrefied meat were discarded in accordance with Discard Regulations 2017 in the presence of the Assistant Commissioner Jand and Deputy Director Operations Punjab Food Authority Attock.

The vehicle used for transporting the meat and the ten chemical drums used for storage were handed over to police as case property.

Meanwhile, an FIR was registered against three persons claiming ownership of the meat along with the driver of the vehicle, and all four were arrested on the spot. Authorities said strict action would continue against those involved in supplying unsafe food to the public.