THE National Meat Inspection Service (NMIS), under the Department of Agriculture (DA), is intensifying its monitoring of fast-food chains and restaurants to shield consumers from unscrupulous businessmen who may opt to use substandard meat to save on cost in the face of escalating prices.

NMIS officer in charge Jane Bacayo said the agency is aware that some businessmen may be thinking of “improvising” to reduce their operating expenses during these extraordinary times.

What they want to avoid, he said, is a scenario wherein unscrupulous traders will just source cheaper but below-standard meat.

“We will be intensifying our monitoring of all food establishments as a preemptive measure to make sure that only safe meat products are sold to consumers,” said Bacayo.

The NMIS conducts regular testing of a number of establishments to determine whether the meat products they sell adhere to the health standards of the government.

The agency also wants to make sure that restaurants and fast-food chains source their meat products only from those accredited by the NMIS.

In conjunction to this, Bacayo urged well-meaning businessmen to take the initiative of having their meat products tested by the NMIS.

“We encourage businessmen to come to us and have their products tested. We encourage and welcome any voluntary submissions,” he said.

By volunteering, businessmen would be able to help NMIS cover more establishments in less time and manpower requirements.

The NMIS usually issues a certification that will serve as proof that the meat products the agency tested are free from any harmful microorganisms.

Earlier, the Philippine Association of Meat Processors Inc. (Pampi) and even the National Federation of Hog Farmers Inc., have warned that meat prices will go up  because of the tightness in supply in the domestic market.

Pampi said the anticipated increase in imported pork and meat products will cause adjustments in the price of processed-meat products like hotdogs, hams, and canned meat products like corned beef and meat loaf.

Under the law, NMIS was mandated to promulgate and implement policies, procedures, guidelines, rules and regulations governing postproduction flow of livestock and meat and meat pro-ducts (both locally produced and imported) through the various stages of marketing and proper handling, inspection, processing storage and preservation of such products.

NMIS was also mandated to “protect the interest, health and general welfare of the meat-consuming public and shall endeavor for the development of the livestock and meat industry.”

ATTEMPTING to replicate the government’s thrust of bringing down power rates to industries in the Philippine Economic Zone Authority zone to the general consuming public, Energy Secretary Angelo Reyes said on Wednesday the government is still examining how it will be able to bring the rates down to residential consumers.

THE Department of Energy (DOE) on Wednesday awarded five petroleum exploration service contracts (SCs) to four Filipino oil exploration companies composed of Miocene Mining and Energy Corp. (MMEC), Helios Petroleum and Gas Corp. (HPGC), Burgundy Global Exploration Corp. (BGEC) and NorAsian Energy Ltd. (NEL).  

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) on Wednesday revealed that it has proposed a P2 additional fuel subsidy for transport sector to cushion the impact of the rising fuel prices.

SEN. Edgardo Angara called on the United Nations to consider the elimination of export subsidies and reduction of domestic subsidies of rich countries, as he blamed the prevailing trade imbalance for the looming global food crisis.

BEIJING has given the go-signal for eight Philippine firms to export mangoes to China starting this month, the Department of Agriculture (DA) said.

THE National Meat Inspection Service (NMIS), under the Department of Agriculture (DA), is intensifying its monitoring of fast-food chains and restaurants to shield consumers from unscrupulous businessmen who may opt to use substandard meat to save on cost in the face of escalating prices.

HERE’S a scenario: A sales agent approaches a woman strolling at the mall and offers her a new weight-loss device that produces quick results. The woman stops and shows interest, so the sales agent starts to explain the details of his offer.