1,000kg spoiled meat confiscated

The Dubai Customs in collaboration with Dubai Municipality banned entry of one tonne of spoiled meat into the country contained in a shipment coming from an African country, which found to be unsuitable for human consumption when tested. “The customs inspectors at Dubai International Airport Free Zone Inspection Center while checking a shipment of meat suspected of its suitability with a pervasive smell emitting from it. The shipment was referred to the Food Control Office of Dubai Municipality located at Dubai Flowers Centre, being the competent agency in controlling imported foodstuff. Upon testing a sample of the shipment, which weighs 1000kg containing 147 pieces (carcasses) of goat meat, it was reported to be fully spoiled and unsuitable for human consumption and should therefore be banned from entering the country,” said Omer Al Mehairi, senior manager of Air Cargo Operations at Dubai Customs. A seizure report on the incident was prepared together with destroying the shipment in liaison with the Food Control Department at the Dubai Municipality. The incident comes at a time while the people of UAE are preparing for the Holy month of Ramadan and the import of large quantity of different foodstuff brands. Lauding the co-operation with Dubai Municipality, Al Mehairi affirmed that “all imported brands of food stuff are subject to strict customs inspection and control. Al Mehairy pointed out to the inspectors’ skills who are continuously subject to specialised training on how such shipments can be handled since they directly affect people’s health. From/ Gulf Today