Water-injected meat: Hyd's food scandal

Meat pumped with water to increase weight sold without govt action, no official oversight

HYDERABAD:

Butchers in the city are reported to have been indulging in a blatant scam, injecting water into animal carcasses to artificially inflate their weight and fleece unsuspecting customers. This unscrupulous practice not only deceives citizens into paying more for less but also raises serious health concerns, as the injected water can lead to spoilage and contamination of the meat.

Pressure pumps are used to fill the veins with water, artificially increasing the weight of the meat. When cooked, the injected water leaks out, causing the meat to shrink and turn black. The meat becomes so unappetising that people lose their desire to eat it.

Additionally, while the quantity of meat is reduced due to the injected water, its weight increases, causing citizens to suffer double losses. The Hyderabad district has a functional local government run by the Hyderabad Municipal Corporation, led by a Mayor and Deputy Mayor and well as nine town municipal corporations, which are managed by town chairpersons and vice-chairpersons. Despite this administrative structure, butchers operate without oversight.

For nearly two years, the current local government system has been in place, with municipal representatives responsible for providing basic facilities to citizens. However, residents claim that there has been no noticeable improvement in municipal services, claiming that the performance of municipal institutions has deteriorated.

The management and regulation of slaughterhouses fall under the jurisdiction of municipal authorities. However, due to alleged negligence and lack of interest by municipal officials and staff, adultered meat (pressure-treated meat) is sold openly across the city.

Illegal abattoirs

Moreover, in various areas of Latifabad, the practice of slaughtering animals in homes, shops, neighbourhoods, and streets remain unchecked, allegedly with the tacit approval of municipal staff. The animals are often underage, weak, or sick, and are slaughtered without fear or precaution.

The aftermath of these slaughters is equally disturbing, with blood and other waste being dumped into sewer lines or drains, disrupting the drainage system in the area. Frequently, waste from slaughtered animals gets stuck in these systems, leading to dirty water backing up and accumulating in the area.

Residents recall that in the past, government meat markets existed in various locations in Latifabad, where meat was sold exclusively. However, for years, municipal authorities and the district administration have neglected these markets. Consequently, some government markets and the adjacent vacant government land have been encroached upon, while shops selling other items have been opened in other meat markets.

Now most of the cities, including Hyderabad, Latifabad, Qasimabad, and Tando Jam, have only a few private meat shops. In many places, meat is hung and sold on carts or stalls along major roads, often without even being covered with cloth, leaving it exposed to flies and other insects. Despite this blatant disregard for hygiene and sanitation, no action is taken against these butchers.

Instead, municipal staff allegedly collect monthly payments from these meat stalls and carts within their jurisdictions, turning a blind eye to the unsanitary conditions and unauthorised slaughter practices.

Stray Cattle Issue

In Latifabad city, a significant problem persists with stray cattle found in garbage dumps. Interestingly, these cattle often belong to influential butchers who allow them to graze in these dumps, supervised by specific employees. The animals are marked with unique numbers on their skin.

As they feed on garbage, including plastic bags and other waste, the cattle become fat and are eventually slaughtered. The meat from these animals poses a significant health risk to unsuspecting citizens due to the harmful substances they have ingested.