Press Release 08/04/2006
Contact: Public Affairs (404) 656-3689
Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Irvin
issues statewide alert on “un-inspected meat”
Today, Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Tommy Irvin warns consumers to “be on the lookout for un-inspected meats,” sold primarily to retail grocery stores and restaurants.
Irvin says restaurant and supermarket workers as well as consumers should be curious when they see meat deliveries arriving in unmarked vehicles without refrigeration. “This is an indication that un-inspected meat is being delivered and probably consumed by an unsuspecting public,” Irvin says.
“Our inspectors are finding an increased amount of un-inspected meat in the marketplace,” said Irvin. “The un-inspected meats are slaughtered and processed in un-licensed facilities and distributed to grocery stores and restaurants throughout the state. Often, the meat products (carcasses and unlabeled packages) are transported in non-refrigerated vehicles.”
Irvin cites the Bismillah Supermarket in Atlanta as one such retail outlet that was in “possession of large amounts of un-inspected meat for apparent sale.”
“Bismillah had large quantities of un-inspected meat stored in freezers. It was confiscated and destroyed by inspectors,” Irvin says. “Bismillah operates today under an administrative court decree. They are paying on a $41,000 state-imposed fine.”
In Georgia, the only two sources approved for inspecting meat for public consumption are the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) or the Georgia Department of Agriculture Meat Inspection Section (GDA MIS).”
“Consumers have to be on the lookout,” said Irvin. “If there is any suspicion that meat being sold is un-inspected, we want you to call the Georgia Department of Agriculture at 1-800-252-5852.”
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