MPI investigators target alleged unregulated meat sales

9 August 2016

A team of Ministry for Primary Industries investigators today executed a search warrant at an alleged unregulated meat premises in Turangi.

This was the culmination of a six month undercover operation involving the purchase of considerable quantities of venison, lamb and pork products from a local Turangi man.

The man is now being spoken to by MPI investigators in relation to the alleged sale of meat from an unregulated premises.

MPI Compliance Operations Manager, Gary Orr, says a decision will be made shortly as to whether charges will be laid under the Animal Products Act.

He says offences that involve activities that fall outside of the act can have serious food safety implications.

“Food of animal origin presents one of the foremost risks to the health and well-being of humans because animals can unwittingly transfer diseases and chemical residues to humans and other animals.

“The trade of unregulated meat is a risk because there’s no basis for the consumer to know whether the necessary hygiene and control measures have been in place during processing.

“This sort of activity poses a very real risk to consumer health.”

Mr Orr says the investigation is ongoing.

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