Meat retailers, consumers urged to follow storage restrictions

 By Rene V. Carbayas

 

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Jan 21 (PIA) – The Bureau of Agriculture and Fisheries Standards (BAFS) issued guidance to producers, retailers, and consumers to follow storage restriction in order to keep meat products fresh and safe.

 

In a Technical Bulletin and posters released recently that tackle concerns on the quality and safety of frozen meat, BAFS provide some recommended practices in order to maintain the safety and quality of frozen meat.

 

Katrina L. Maminta, DA-BAFS Technical Services Division said that during the pandemic, the travel restrictions and threat of COVID have led consumers to buy frozen products and store them for later consumption.

 

“Most people are scared of going out. Where do they get their food items? They either order food online or shop for a larger amount of food. And a possible scenario is that home refrigerators will be stocked with chilled and frozen meats and other food items,” she said.

 

With the poor storage practices of meat and fresh products, it may result to some risks and may compromise the health of a consumer. 

 

“Since meat stored at frozen temperature is safe almost indefinitely, mishandling during storage and thawing may still cause adverse health effects in humans,” she said.

 

Thus, the technical bulletin was released to assist producers, retailers, and consumers in the proper handling of frozen meat and in making informed decisions to ensure meats will remain safe and of good quality.

 

To maintain the safety and quality of frozen meats, the BAFS Technical Bulletin on Frozen Meat Safety and Quality recommends practices for cold storage facilities, retail outlets, and at home.

 

Consumers are advised on the following when buying meat:

1. Purchase meat from licensed meat suppliers

2. When buying meat, chilled meat should be cold to touch, while frozen meat must be rock solid

3. Keep meat in a cooler or insulated container to keep its freshness and avoid spoilage

4. Avoid lengthy travel time to maintain freshness of meet

 

Moreover, the meat should not have unusual odor and color; and it is firm to touch when thawed.

 

Details of the guidelines may be accessed through the link bit.ly/TBFrozenMeat and the posters through bit.ly/PostersFM.

 

“You Buy quality meats, store them safely and cook properly,” Maminta advised. (EDT/RVC/PIA9-Zamboanga City)