St. James Health Authority Monitoring Slaughterhouses

The St. James Health Authority says it is monitoring the more than a dozen slaughterhouses in the parish for breaches under the Public Health Act. According to the health officials, there is a trend in the Christmas holidays which see an overwhelming number of meat shops and butchers, many of whom are unlicensed and unregulated.

In anticipation of the increased demand for meat for the Christmas holiday, the St. James Health Authority says it will be increasing its inspections at slaughterhouses in the parish. 

Parish Health Manager, Lennox Wallace says at least one person was arrested following an inspection at the Charles Gordon Market last week.

CVM LIVE understands that there is a black market for the sale of meat which usually begins with the theft of the animals, selling uninspected meat; without a Food Handlers Permit or Public Health Certification and using marks or stamps to deceive the public

But Wallace explains that not only is it stolen goods but it may also be dangerous. Slaughterhouses must be regulated for the killing of the animal, the cleaning of the meat, its storage to prevent contamination and cleanliness of  facility.

Under the Public Health Act, it is illegal for anyone to operate as a butcher unless that person has been granted a valid license by the Local Board of Health, 

Anyone found guilty can be fined up to 12,500 dollars or spend up to three months in prison.