URGENT WARNING REGARDING MEAT AND POULTRY PURCHASES IN JAMAICA
The JCF’s Agricultural Protection Branch (APB) is issuing an urgent public advisory to all residents of Jamaica regarding the purchase and consumption of meat and poultry, particularly those originating from Western parishes severely impacted by Hurricane Melissa. Recent events highlight a significant risk of contaminated or spoiled meat entering the market, posing serious health threats to consumers.
On Sunday, November 9 between 5:30a.m., and 6:00a.m., lawmen attached to the Manchester Police Division and members of the Area 2 APB intercepted a Toyota Hiace van on the Porus main road, vicinity Coffee Grove Street, carrying the carcasses of four large brown cows with heads still attached. The driver fled the scene raising immediate concerns about the origin, handling, and safety of the meat.
This incident underscores the potential for uninspected and improperly handled meat products to be distributed, especially in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa, which can disrupt supply chains and compromise food safety standards.
Meanwhile, Senior Superintendent of Police and commanding officer of the APB, Mr. Oral Pascoe, expressed that the men and women of the APB, have since been deployed for duty on shifts that see them working through the night till morning; as these illegal acts are conducted by these unscrupulous persons at these odd hours.
