"Not fit for human consumption": surprise inspection at butcher shop ends in destruction

In a joint operation by enforcement authorities, about 500 kg of meat unfit for human consumption were seized at a butcher shop in Tamra. The meat was seized without veterinary documentation and from an unknown source, and was entirely destroyed due to a risk to public health. Proceedings were opened against the butcher shop owner, and he was summoned for questioning under warning.

Following a joint operation by several enforcement authorities, about 500 kg of meat unfit for human consumption were seized at a butcher shop in the city of Tamra. The meat was seized without veterinary documentation and from an unknown source. According to the announcement, this was animal produce that had not undergone any sanitary or veterinary supervision as required by law, and therefore posed a real and immediate danger to consumers' health. Due to the risk to public health and in accordance with the instructions and order of a qualified veterinarian, all the seized meat was destroyed. Proceedings were opened against the butcher shop owner, and he was summoned for questioning under warning at the enforcement unit. The Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security emphasized that animal produce that is not supervised is unfit for human consumption, and called on the public to purchase products only at licensed points of sale. Moshe Ahark, director of the Central Enforcement and Investigations Unit (Pitzuach), said that inspectors work around the clock to ensure that agricultural produce is healthy and safe, and that the operation was intended to prevent the sale of poor-quality meat without veterinary supervision.