Large quantities of questionable meat confiscated in Ayuttaya

In a significant move to protect public health and the national economy, the Consumer Protection Police Division (CPPD), in coordination with the Department of Livestock Development, conducted raids in Ayutthaya province last week. The raids targeted three storage premises, leading to the seizure of approximately 200 tonnes of illegal meat.

The impounded meat included 3,550 kg of beef, 140 kg of buffalo meat, and a staggering 186,788 kg of bovine offal. The operator of one of the seized storage facilities, who has a previous record of a similar offense in 2023, remains unidentified in the available information.

The owner of the storage premises failed to present valid documents verifying the origin of the meat, which could lead to prosecution under the Animal Epidemics Act and other relevant laws. The operator has been given 15 days to provide proof of the meat's origin.

The seizure of this large quantity of illegal meat could pose serious public health risks. Distributing unverified meat could lead to the spread of zoonoses such as lumpy skin disease and hand, foot, and mouth disease. Furthermore, the illegal meat has an estimated value of over 15 million baht, potentially causing significant damage to the national economy.

The estimated economic damage from the seized meat exceeded 15 million baht. The Consumer Protection Police Division, led by Pol Maj Gen Phattanasak Bupphasuwan, commander of the CPPD, emphasised the importance of these raids in maintaining the safety and integrity of the food supply chain.

However, no information was provided about the potential source or destination of the seized meat. The owner of the seized meat storage premises, with a previous record of a similar offense, is currently under police review for further investigation.

The CPPD continues to urge consumers to be vigilant when purchasing meat and to only purchase from trusted sources to ensure the safety and quality of their food. This latest seizure serves as a reminder of the importance of enforcing food safety regulations and the potential dangers of illegal meat distribution.