Police arrested five men in London late last month as part of an investigation by the Food Standards Agency’s National Food Crime Unit into the sale of illegal meat.
NFCU officers, together with police, attended a location in the capital on Monday 25 November, where they discovered unrefrigerated vans containing 48 sheep carcasses, the FSA revealed.
The meat is thought to be illegal, having undergone a smoking process with its skin on, and is not traceable, the regulator said.
“Meat should have traceability from farm to fork and be subject to checks by FSA vets and meat hygiene inspectors,” it added.
As a result, police arrested five men who were interviewed by NFCU officers. All five have been released under investigation, the FSA said.
“Officers from the National Food Crime Unit discovered a substantial quantity of allegedly illegal meat in unrefrigerated vans,” said the NFCU’s deputy head Neil Castle.
“The meat lacks traceability and was being kept in unsanitary conditions, posing a food safety risk. The meat has been seized and we are taking action with partners to tackle the trade in illegal meat and protect the public.”
No comments yet