 | DA issues guidelines on meat products |
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balita.ph: March 16, 2012 2:36 am MANILA, March 15 — The Department of Agriculture said on Thursday it has issued two administrative orders (AOs) that would govern the handling of frozen meat products and newly slaughtered meat in markets in the country. Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala, in an interview with media, said he recently approved AO No. 5 which pertains to the guidelines for the handling of newly slaughtered meat, and AO No. 6 which governs the handling of frozen, chilled and thawed meat in the market. "The newly approved AO 6 will replace the existing AO 22, or the mandatory labeling of imported meat products," he said. Alcala said AO 6 will provide a "win-win" solution for both the Philippines and major meat exporting countries like Canada and the United States. Washington earlier threatened to block the Philippines' application for an extension of quantitative restrictions (QR) on rice if the DA will not defer implementation of AO 22. One of the most notable provisions of the new guidelines was the adjustment in temperature in handling frozen, chilled and thawed meat products — a recommendation of U.S. meat exporters. Under AO 6, chilled meat products that are sold in markets should not be higher than 10 degrees Celsius, while frozen meat should be stored and held at a room temperature of -18 degrees Celsius. Thawed meat obtained from frozen meat should not be higher than five degrees Celsius. AO 22 recommended that thawed meat products sold in retail markets should be stored in refrigerated facilities and transported in vehicles while maintaining temperatures of no more than four degrees Celsius. On the other hand, AO 5 sets the standard in handling and distribution of newly-slaughtered meat in local markets as prescribed by Republic Act No. 7394 or the "Consumer Act of the Philippines," and R.A. No. 7160 or the "Local Government Code," which tasks local government units (LGUs) to regulate the preparation and sale of meat products to ensure consumer safety. [(PNA) scs/LGI] |
