The Hot Meat task force of Dumaguete City yesterday swooped down on two lechon stalls and confiscated seven butchered pigs considered as "hot meat" for failure of the owners to let them undergo ante-mortem inspection.

Task Force personnel headed by representatives from the City Legal Office raided by the establishments of Dodoy Alay and Arman Alviola in Brgy. Tabuctubig. Stall owners said persons ordering lechon especially during graduation, fiestas, and similar occasions brought the hogs to them.

The raiding team said they received information about a "double dead" hog at Torno's place prompting them to call the attention of authorities.

Joey Abella said the city is strictly enforcing the law for the safety of consumers and to regulate the industry.

He said they learned that lechon-makers do not have permits to operate, but are being tolerated provided the hogs brought to them pass through the city's slaughterhouse in Bajumpandan for ante-mortem inspection.

The city's butchers were warned about existing ordinances in accepting orders for lechon in the wake of reports that animals not fit for human consumption were slaughtered anywhere in the city.

They were reminded of a Department of Agriculture administrative order that provides for an ante-mortem inspection on food animals by authorized inspectors, before being allowed for slaughter.*JG

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