Over 500 pounds of uninspected meat seized in downtown Kingston, vendor charged

A vendor was on Sunday arrested and charged by members of the police’s Agricultural Protection Branch (APB) following an operation in downtown Kingston in which more than 500 pounds of meat were seized.

The police say the meat was uninspected and improperly handled.

Milton Bundy, 58, of Maxfield Avenue, Kingston 13, is charged with unlawful possession of meat, possession of uninspected meat, operating without a butcher’s licence, and operating without a food handler’s permit.

The police report that around midday, about 12:00 p.m., a team carried out a targeted, intelligence-led operation dubbed ‘Operation Farm Shield.’

The initiative resulted in the interception of meat products allegedly intended for public distribution without the requisite inspection, licensing, and food safety compliance.

According to the police, preliminary investigations revealed that the meat was not subjected to the mandatory inspection process and was being handled in a manner inconsistent with established public health and safety standards.

The police say the seizure was executed to prevent potentially contaminated or spoiled meat from entering the consumer market.

The APB has been on a drive to combat unlawful meat distribution.

The public is being reminded by the police to purchase meat only from licensed and certified vendors, ensure products bear appropriate inspection markings, and report any suspicious activity involving the sale or distribution of meat.

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