meat shops

1. Itanagar’s Deputy Commissioner issues an executive order to improve hygiene in meat shops.
2. The September 24 order aims to curb the spread of zoonotic diseases.
3. It follows reports of unhygienic meat sales in roadside stalls, posing public health risks.

Itanagar, Sept 25: The Deputy Commissioner of Itanagar, Arunachal Pradesh, has issued an executive order to improve hygiene standards in meat shops and curb the spread of zoonotic diseases in the capital.

Dated September 24, the order follows reports of butchers and meat vendors selling livestock and poultry in unhygienic roadside stalls and markets, which pose serious public health risks. Diseases like anthrax, leptospirosis, cysticercosis, and brucellosis are potential threats from such practices.

To address this, the District Magistrate has mandated strict Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for all meat vendors in Itanagar, including:

  1. Antemortem and post-mortem inspections by registered veterinarians.
  2. Deep refrigerators to preserve meat hygiene and texture.
  3. Access to a proper water supply at all meat vending locations.
  4. A complete ban on selling meat in open roadside stalls.
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The order also prohibits roadside slaughter of animals and calls for adequate drainage systems in meat shops. Additionally, vendors must obtain and display valid Trading Licenses.

This initiative aims to enhance food safety and lower the risk of zoonotic diseases in the region, with local veterinary officers and food safety officials responsible for enforcing the new guidelines.