by Erlinda T. Yutuc

San Fernando City, Pampanga (24 October) -- The Regional Committee on Meat Establishment Amenities and Technology (RECOMEAT) recently awarded the winners in this year's search for best meat establishments in Central Luzon.

National Meat Inspection Service (NMIS) Regional Director Dr. Mildred Saligan said that the annual search aims to give due recognition to meat establishments with exemplary compliance to national standards set by concerned government regulatory agencies.

Saligan said that the search also aims to increase public awareness on the responsibility of both meat establishment operators and the government in ensuring clean, healthy and safe meat for the consumers.

The awarding ceremony held at Partyland Restaurant in the City of San Fernando highlighted the region's celebration of meat safety consciousness week and NMIS' 35th anniversary.

Saligan said that theme for this year's celebration is "Pambansang Pamantayan para sa Pandaigdigang Kalakalan".

Department of Agriculture (DA) Executive Assistant Libertad Rivera who represented Director Redentor Gatus as guest speaker said that the annual search is an effective strategy to motivate the participation of the private sector and ensure that the public is provided with the best quality of meat products.

Rivera lauded the NMIS' efforts in implementing policies, programs, rules and regulations pertaining to meat inspection and meat hygiene.

The zero incidence of foot and mouth disease (FMD) in the region will greatly boost the prospect of exporting meat products from Luzon to other countries, Rivera said.

"We really need to strengthen and improve our national standards on meat and other meat by-products in order to meet international standards and be able to penetrate the international market," she added.

According to Dr. Yvette Soller, vice-chairman of the RECOMEAT, accredited meat establishments such as abattoirs, poultry dressing, meat processing and cold storage plants in the region were evaluated by the member-agencies of the RECOMEAT.

Aside from NMIS, the RECOMEAT is composed of representatives from the Departments of Health (DOH), Environment and Natural Resources - Environment Management Bureau (DENR - EMB) and Interior and Local Government (DILG).

Soller said that Mekeni Food Corporation topped the "AAA" meat processing plant category in terms of its physical structure, equipment and other facilities, operational procedure and practices, permits, issuances and certificates, social responsibility and other important features.

Bounty Fresh Food Inc. ranked second while MJMB Meat Products ranked third in the said category.

Roel's Food Corporation was adjudged winner in the "AA" meat processing plant category with Mother Earth Product as second placer and Cindy's Classic Baker as third placer.

For the "AAA" poultry dressing plant category, Bounty Fresh Food Inc. ranked first with the Diaz Chicken Processing Plant as second placer.

Poultry King Corporation won the "AA" poultry dressing plant category; New Vreed Processing Center, second; and Kaizen Food Enterprises, third.

Mother Earth Product, Inc. won the "AA" slaughterhouse category with Rombe Philippines Inc. as second placer.

For the "AA" cold storage category, Jentec Cold Storage emerged first while 557 Cold Storage was adjudged second.