Madurai: Food safety officials have seized approximately 1,200 kilograms of spoiled mutton and chicken from a meat supplier in Madurai who allegedly supplied meat to several popular non-vegetarian restaurants in the city.
Raid at Moison Mutton Shop
The raid was conducted at Moison Mutton Shop in the Arappalayam Cross Road area following complaints that spoiled meat was being sold from the premises. A team led by Madurai district designated food safety officer Sivarama Pandian inspected the outlet and found large quantities of meat stored under unhygienic and improper conditions.
Seized Stock and Violations
Officials said the seized stock included mutton sourced from authorised Madurai Corporation slaughterhouses as well as meat that did not bear the mandatory inspection seal. They found that the freezers used for storage were not maintained at the prescribed temperature of minus 20 degrees Celsius, rendering a substantial quantity of meat unfit for consumption.
The entire stock of spoiled mutton and chicken was seized and destroyed after being treated with bleaching powder. Authorities also sealed the shop and imposed a fine of Rs 13,000 on the owner. During the inspection, officials recovered syringes allegedly used to inject water into mutton to increase its weight before sale. The syringes have been sent for laboratory analysis.
Further Action
Food safety officials said further action would be taken based on the laboratory report. They added that inspections would continue across the district to curb violations related to the storage, handling and sale of meat.
