10 Tons Of Rotten Ham To Be Converted Into Fertilizer

October 4, 2007 10:28 a.m. EST

Manila, Philippines (AHN) - "Better convert it into fertilizer than let the consuming public suffer," stressed the National Meat Inspection Commission (NMIC) as it ordered Wednesday the burning of 10 tons (10,000 kilos) of rotten ham. The meat seized by police authorities during a sting operation at Pasay City, south of the capital Manila.

The 10 tons of processed ham were contained in 20-foot long van and were being unloaded in front of the house of the consignee known as Susan Co. The foul odor coming from the van led to the discovery of the seized pork, which the NMIC declared as unfit for human consumption.

In an interview with reporters, City veterinarian Dr. Ronald Bernasor claimed that the contaminated meat was already in the state of decomposition, with green and white molds in it. He added that the seized pork lacked meat inspection clearance from Davao City, the point of its origin.

Bernasor said that the items should have been packed in crates instead of plastic bags and should have been placed in a refrigerated and not a regular container van.

The drivers of the container van, Erik Ravela, 24 of Lakandula, Tondo, Manila and his helpers, were detained at the city hall pending the investigation of the case. Appropriate charges are also being readied against companies involved in the transport.

Since the seized pork amounted to millions of pesos, the NMIC found it logical to just burn it in a slaughterhouse located in the province of Bulacan. The ashes would make good use as fertilizer, a flash report over radio DZRH said.

Ham is a very popular Christmas giveaway in the country and costs around $12 per kilo. The seized products were believed to be intended for early delivery to the ham suppliers throughout the provinces in the country in time for the holiday season.