Cebu City is tightening inspections on meat, poultry, and lechon products as part of an intensified food safety campaign targeting unsafe and unregulated meat in public markets and roadside trade.
The Department of Veterinary Medicine and Fisheries (DVMF), together with city meat inspectors, has been conducting early morning and routine operations to prevent “hot meat” from reaching consumers.
On May 15, authorities confiscated 2.6 kilos of poultry products during an inspection along Escaño Street in Barangay Ermita at around 3:45 a.m.
The DVMF said the items were flagged over safety concerns and were later found to have pancreatic lesions linked to toxic pancreatitis.
The vendor was identified only as “Malie.”
The operation is part of the city’s ongoing crackdown on hot meat, which refers to meat products that are transported, slaughtered, or sold without proper veterinary inspection and permits.
Officials said inspections will continue in markets and transport routes as part of efforts to protect public health and prevent possible disease transmission from unsafe animal products.
The intensified campaign also covers lechon products, which remain in high demand in Cebu, especially during peak seasons.
Earlier operations by the DVMF, in coordination with the Cebu City Police Office, led to the confiscation of three lechons weighing a total of 87 kilos in Barangays Apas and Lahug for lack of required permits under City Ordinance No. 2189.
The ordinance regulates the transport and sale of meat products in Cebu City and requires proper documentation to ensure that products have passed inspection.
Republic Act No. 9296, or the Meat Inspection Code of the Philippines, also requires that meat for public consumption must come from accredited facilities and pass veterinary inspection.
DVMF officer-in-charge Dr. Jessica Maribojoc said sustained monitoring is aimed at strengthening food safety compliance and protecting consumers from health risks.
She added that confiscated meat products are disposed of through burial or incineration to prevent them from being sold back into the market.
In the recent lechon confiscation, the items were buried at Block 27 in the North Reclamation Area based on DVMF procedures.
Authorities said regular enforcement operations will continue as part of the city’s food safety and consumer protection drive. (LLP)
File photo: Alice Utlang / FB
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