Regulator reveals a string of breaches at meat inspecting firms
24.03.2017,
16:30
Armenia’s State Food Safety Service revealed that three firms, dealing with meat inspection - Expert Center for Livestock Products, Expert Center for Produce of Animal Origin and Anti-Epidemic Expedition - fail to carry out veterinary and sanitary examination of meat in a proper manner.
YEREVAN, March 24. /ARKA/. Armenia’s State Food Safety Service revealed that three firms, dealing with meat inspection - Expert Center for Livestock Products, Expert Center for Produce of Animal Origin and Anti-Epidemic Expedition - fail to carry out veterinary and sanitary examination of meat in a proper manner.
After a series of studies, the agency found out that meat inspections were carried out without appropriate equipment or with the help of equipment of unknown origin and often were of a formal nature. If there was any doubt about the quality of meat, these firms did not inform the authorities, although they have such an obligation.
It was also found out that materials of unknown origin were used to conduct laboratory examinations of meat, thereby making their results controversial. Examinations were conducted in the absence of internal organs of animals, and sampling was not performed correctly, which made it impossible to determine the quality of meat or to identify possible diseases.
The State Food Safety Service also revealed that pork was not examined for trichinosis (an animal and human disease caused by helminthes). The agency did not find out either a case of examination of fish, milk or honey, as provided for by relevant government decisions.
The paint used for labeling was not food paid. No procedure for disinfection of infected organs and tissues was carried out. The findings of the studies were sent to the General Prosecutor's Office and the State Revenue Committee, as well as the Ministry of Finance, the State Food Safety Service said.
The studies also revealed that the aforementioned firms had concluded contracts and conducted examination of meat of business entities engaged in public catering activities, despite the fact that there is no need for this, as under the Armenian legislation, meat is subject to obligatory laboratory expertise only at points of sale.
The agency recalls that according to a government's decision, the purchase of animal meat slaughtered outside slaughterhouses will become illegal in Armenia from March 1, 2018. -0-
After a series of studies, the agency found out that meat inspections were carried out without appropriate equipment or with the help of equipment of unknown origin and often were of a formal nature. If there was any doubt about the quality of meat, these firms did not inform the authorities, although they have such an obligation.
It was also found out that materials of unknown origin were used to conduct laboratory examinations of meat, thereby making their results controversial. Examinations were conducted in the absence of internal organs of animals, and sampling was not performed correctly, which made it impossible to determine the quality of meat or to identify possible diseases.
The State Food Safety Service also revealed that pork was not examined for trichinosis (an animal and human disease caused by helminthes). The agency did not find out either a case of examination of fish, milk or honey, as provided for by relevant government decisions.
The paint used for labeling was not food paid. No procedure for disinfection of infected organs and tissues was carried out. The findings of the studies were sent to the General Prosecutor's Office and the State Revenue Committee, as well as the Ministry of Finance, the State Food Safety Service said.
The studies also revealed that the aforementioned firms had concluded contracts and conducted examination of meat of business entities engaged in public catering activities, despite the fact that there is no need for this, as under the Armenian legislation, meat is subject to obligatory laboratory expertise only at points of sale.
The agency recalls that according to a government's decision, the purchase of animal meat slaughtered outside slaughterhouses will become illegal in Armenia from March 1, 2018. -0-
