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Indian embassy refutes allegations on meat safety
The Indian embassy here has refuted media allegations on the safety of meat imported from the country, which is available in the Egyptian market.
The Indian embassy here has refuted media allegations on the safety of meat imported from the country, which is available in the Egyptian market.
The Indian ambassador to Egypt has sent a letter to Dr Mustafa al-Garhi, the head of authority for veterinarian services, to answer queries about health procedures taken to guarantee the safety of the meat.
Earlier, reports have been circulating in the media here casting doubt on the safety of meat imported from India. The meat was said to be infected with a worm known as sarcosit.
The Indian embassy issued a statement clarifying its position after rumours prompted Egyptian authorities to investigate the issue.
The letter included the reply from the concerned Indian authorities on the issue. It also added that such an infection is not considered dangerous in many countries, as the worm does not survive freezing at -10 degrees or cooking above 60 degrees.
Ala'a Radwan, chairman of the society of importers, manufacturers and distributors of frozen meats, had said the import of frozen meat had come down to 140 thousand tonnes last year from around 250 thousand tonnes in 2008.
Rumours of the meat mixed with pork had the importers, then, reluctant to bring in large amounts into Egypt.
The statement from the Indian embassy denied the accusations noting that the mentioned worm is present in all animals bred on farms on many countries in the world including Egypt.
