This coming Christmas
goods are sure to be more expensive and the idea of thrift and resourcefulness will
be actively practiced.
Some consumers will
prefer affordability than quality and might not question the product, and for
instance may end up buying “botcha” or double dead meat, or “expired” goods.
Department of Trade
and Industry Aklan Director, Diosdado Cadena, in an interview said, although
they have a different scope of responsibility, they are aware and or is
coordinating with other sectors such as the departments of Agriculture which covers
the National Meat Inspection Service or NMIS, and Food and Drug Authority among
others.
And they have been
alert on monitoring and have not found any problems in Aklan so far,
particularly in Kalibo.
Director Cadena
explained that the DTI only covers the Processes food products - such the noche
buena items like hams- its supply and prices.
The determination of
safety when it comes to raw meats is under the expertise and mandate of the
NMIS which in turn is under the .Department of Agriculture.
Cadena advices the
consumers to be vigilant enough and be aware of the safety of the products they
are purchasing.
And since, he
admitted, that determining if the meat is “double dead” is difficult and is the
work of experts, knowing the manufacturer and or supplier will help, especially
now that home-made products are popular and backyard slaughterhouses are
multiplying.
He added that the
expiry or best before dates must also be checked and with meats, if possible
choose those which had been marked or branded by authorities as safe for
consumption.
