Food safety department officials on Sunday seized 2.5 tonnes of rotten meat that was transported into the city by bus. Having received a tip-off on Saturday, the officials waited at three locations along Poonamallee High Road at dawn and seized the meat parcels.
The officials found packets of rotten meat which were being smuggled in through buses coming from Karnataka. Soon, the police and officials of Chennai Corporation’s health department reached the spot and analysed the samples. The meat was of inferior quality and was making its way to eateries in the city.
The meat was destroyed in Kodungaiyur dump yard. The food safety officials will create awareness among traders this week on the impact of such trade on public health.
Earlier in September 2012, the civic body had cracked down on business units in the city that had been found smuggling carcasses from Nellore, Vijayawada and Kakinada in trains. Chennai Central and Egmore stations were the hubs of this illegal trade.
So far, over 25 tonnes of rotten meat have been seized in the city.
No business units in the city were sealed on Sunday.
The meat parcels were meant to be unloaded in Periamet, Vepery and Kilpauk.
