Health Minister urges reporting sale of illegal meat to ministry first

Minister of Health Dr. Abdulla Khaleel said on Thursday, that the authority did not receive reports of the now infamous cat meat case, and urged the public to report such cases first to the ministry before sharing it on social media.

Minister Khaleel made the statement at the press conference held to disseminate information about the Food Safety Act, which will be effective from Friday onward.

At the press briefing, reporters inquired about the cat meat case that came to public attention on Sunday.

Maldives Police Service arrested MD Arafat Hossein, a 32-year-old Bangladeshi national, for the suspected butchering, consumption, and preparation of cat meat in meal packs for sale.

Khaleel said the ministry did not receive any formal complaints about the issue, but affirmed that investigative authorities are now looking into the matter.

Police said on Wednesday that the suspect has been handed over to Maldives Immigration, and confirmed they were investigating the case. Immigration has yet to make any formal comments about its course of action regarding the suspect.

The minister urged to report such instances to the relevant authorities including the ministry, instead of sharing the issues on social media. Khaleel said sharing such issues in social media without seeking help from official authorities often produced adverse outcomes.

“Generally, we are able to enter such venues with a court order. But by the time when reach these places, the alleged culprits are informed about it from social media posts, giving them enough time to clear the area,” Minister Khaleel said.

The minister assured relevant authorities will act promptly to such reports and take necessary action against culpable parties.

The ministry along with Maldives Food and Drug Authority (MFDA) lacks legal authority to enter into private residences without court orders, Khaleel said adding their efforts hinder owing to such challenges.

The ministry also does not have legal authority to remove food products, produced by unregistered entities, placed in shops.

“The ministry lacks legal authority to enter into a private kitchen or room whether the business or individual produces food without registration. So, it is difficult when the law provides that security and privacy,” Khaleel said.

Khaleel said that with the Food Safety Act coming into force on Friday, authorities will have better regulatory powers to ensure food safety.

The public have mounted concerns after it was reported that the Bangladeshi expatriate had sold prepared cat meat to multiple shops across Male’ area.