A joint operation led by Dudley Council and the National Food Crime Unit (NFCU) has resulted in four arrests and the disposal of four and a quarter metric tonnes of illegal meat.
The raid targeted an unapproved meat cutting plant, with officers from the local authority and NFCU, together with the West Midlands Police, HMRC and representatives from the Home Office attending an address in Dudley.
Meat illegally placed into the food chain bypasses the safety and hygiene checks required in the UK, meaning it may carry disease or contaminants that pose a health risk.
The NFCU and Food Standards Agency have now issued a ‘Food Alert for Action’ – an enforcement trigger which notifies councils and food safety teams to take specific direct actions regarding a compromised product or illegal operation.
The sale of illegal meat bypasses the strict safety and hygiene standards that are in place to protect consumers, making enforcement action like this vital.
Councillor Patrick Harley, leader of Dudley Council
A criminal investigation has now started, with the NFCU examining the details of the product and paperwork found.
“The NFCU has been working closely with partners, including Dudley Council and the West Midlands Police Service, to identify those suspected of criminal activity,” commented Will Simpson, regional intelligence officer at the FSA’s NFCU.
He continued: “This operation forms part of the NFCU’s ongoing work to disrupt the illegal meat trade and we are working with local authorities to trace these products and clear them from shelves. Food businesses must do their due diligence on their suppliers to ensure they meet their legal responsibilities to sell food that’s safe and what it says it is.
“We remain vigilant to the threat of illegal meat entering the food chain and will continue to take action to protect the public. Anyone with suspicions of food crime can report it safely and confidentially to the NFCU. You can report a food crime online or by freephone on 0800 028 1180.”
