Dutch, Spanish Cops Nab Alleged Sellers Of Illegal Meat

A number of people have been arrested in the Netherlands as part of a fraud investigation involving meat, Food Safety News (FSN) reported.

Photo Insert: In these cases, it may be the alleged perpetrators - not just the meat - ending up in a locker, as well.

The Intelligence and Investigation Service of the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA-IOD) is investigating document fraud involving exported chicken.

Authorities visited two business premises and two homes in late January. Seven people have been arrested with one released after being questioned this past week.

Searches also took place in Belgium and Spain at three companies that may be working with the suspected Dutch firm. Investigators believe a company based in the east of the Netherlands has been listing frozen chicken meat as other products, such as fish, in documents and then exporting it to countries, mainly those in Africa.

The Spanish Guardia Civil has seized nearly 2,000 pieces of meat in an operation against food fraud in the province of Cáceres. The action led to four people being arrested and another five were investigated.

Confiscated products include ham, sausages, and frozen pork, as well as almost 2,000 pieces of meat, 760 kilos of sausages, and 4,500 kilos of frozen meat.

WEEKLY FEATURE : MVP Group Keeps Lights On During Pandemic