AS the Christmas season sets in the Georgetown Mayor and City Council (M&CC) Chief Meat and Food Officer (ag) Onica Alleyne, is warning shoppers and the general public to be cautious.

Allleyne says that City Hall will do whatever it can with their limited staff to ensure the meat available at the markets will be inspected and safe for consumption, but acknowledged that some cases do fall through the cracks.

In such cases it is up to the consumers to be careful of what they purchase. “I would encourage them to shop with their eyes. We expect that the customers would shop with their eyes because you want to ensure that you’re buying wholesome products. In terms of meat, when you’re looking at meat it must have that rich red colour, it must not have any off-odour, no discolouration of any sort,” Alleyne explained.

“Normally if the meat has been inspected by our facility it’s evident somewhere on it with the use of the stamp with the food grade ink that we use. Everybody wouldn’t get to see it but if they take out meat and they’re cutting it up in your presence you should be able to see that stamp on some part of the carcass.”

The abattoir is expected to begin extending its working hours from December 15 to cater for the increase in animals coming to the facility to be slaughtered. “Everything that comes to the abattoir is inspected, nothing bad leaves there,” Alleyne assured.

Aside from meats, shoppers should also be cautious of the packaged products and fruits that they purchase. “It generally doesn’t just extend to meats; you have a lot of sweets, even to the fresh fruits. You look for certain things: packaging material, the expiry dates are in place, labels intact, and everything is ok, to safe guard,” Alleyne said.