Arakan State Consumer Affairs Department encourages reporting on sale of suspect meats

By DMG 11 May 2022

DMG Newsroom
11 May 2022, Sittwe  

The Arakan State Consumer Affairs Department has again warned shops against selling tainted meatballs and sausages, urging consumers to report to the department when they see shops selling dubious meats that fit the description. 

The department has warned against the sale of meatballs and sausages that are not approved by the Myanmar Food and Drug Administration, said U Tin Zaw Win, deputy director of the Arakan State Consumer Affairs Department. 

The move came after some 45 people including children from a ward in East Dagon Township, Yangon Region, were hospitalised on Monday due to apparent food poisoning after consuming cheap sausage. 

Five of them are still receiving treatment at hospital, while the others have recovered and been discharged. 

“Last time, we checked shops in Sittwe. Some of the most visited shops in Sittwe were selling prohibited sausages. So, we confiscated all of them and warned them not to sell them again. People can file complaints with us if they see them being sold again,” said U Tin Zaw Win. 

The FDA official said consumers can report to U Thein Aung at 09-259461288 in Sittwe, U Maung Saw Wai at 09-261626020 in Kyaukphyu and U Myo Myint Tun at 0432065232 in Thandwe if they suspect the sale of prohibited meatballs and sausage. 

“We make inspections every month in collaboration with other departments. And I urge the people to report if they see the sale of such food. We will seize the goods and issue warnings to sellers. If they sell again, we will take legal action,” said U Tin Zaw Win. 

Sittwe resident Ko Aung Kyi Moe said meatballs and sausage are especially popular among women and children, and they are thus at greater risk of developing serious illness from bad meat. 

“Because they are ready-made food, even the FDA-approved ones can have more or less negative effects on consumers,” he said. 

In February, the FDA said it would undertake surprise inspections intended to root out purveyors of unlicensed meats. Its Arakan State team subsequently warned the public against consuming meats sold by unlicensed street vendors in cities and towns across Arakan State.