600kg of rotten meat seized and destroyed in Irbid

AMMAN — Authorities on Thursday seized and disposed off 600 kilogrammes of meat classified as “unfit for human consumption” in Irbid Governorate, according to a municipal health inspector.

Health inspectors discovered the beef and destroyed it at a landfill under the supervision of security forces. The destruction happened hours before the meat was due to be distributed to food outlets in Irbid, 80km north of Amman, head of health affairs at Irbid Greater Municipality, Mahmoud Shayyab, said.

“We intensify inspection on food items and outlets ahead of weekends and official holidays. The rotten meat was discovered at dawn on Thursday as it was being loaded on to a refrigerated truck in preparation for its distribution to the local market,” Shayyab told The Jordan Times.

The meat was black, he said, explaining that the colour indicated that blood had not been properly drained from the animal.

“The presence of excessive quantities of blood in meat accelerates the growth of bacteria,” the health expert said.

After testing the meat, the inspectors also discovered that some of the cattle was infected with hepatitis, noting that their livers were yellow, Shayyab added.

There are strict measures that need to be applied at slaughterhouses, such as inspecting the animal before and after it is slaughtered under medical supervision,  he explained, noting that certain diseases are discovered in animals only after they are slaughtered and their carcasses are opened.

“Also, slaughtered animals must never touch the ground. They must be transferred to sanitised stainless steel surfaces and be refrigerated immediately,” he underlined.

The rotten beef was disposed off at the Ikeider landfill in Irbid, Shayyab said, underscoring that owners of the seized beef have been fined and referred for legal action.

“An estimated 600 families could have consumed the meat if it had reached the market. Serious cases of food poisoning have been prevented,” Shayyab said, commending the role of the Royal Rangers in the seizure of the meat.