The Qureshi Meat Traders Association of Goa has urged the Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) to reconsider its di rective requiring beef sold at shops and stalls to be stored at cold tempera tures, saying strict refriger ation requirements could place a financial burden on small traders and affect the way consumers tradition ally buy fresh meat. Association president Mannasab R Bepari said the local trade caters large ly to customers who prefer freshly cut meat bought directly from markets and shops rather than refriger ated or packaged products. “There are different types of customers in the mar ket. Some customers pre fer fresh meat purchased directly from the market, while others prefer pack aged or canned meat that is stored under refrigeration.
Our customers predomi nantly prefer to purchase fresh meat,” Bepari said. The Association has sought permission for traders to continue selling fresh beef while complying with appropriate hygiene, sanitation and food-safety requirements. “We are fully willing to cooperate with the author ities and follow reasonable measures to ensure cleanli ness, proper handling and public health,” Bepari said. The traders have also raised concerns over the cost and space required to install refrigeration equipment.
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Bepari said many beef sellers operate small shops and establishments that may not have sufficient space or the fi nancial capacity to install commercial-grade refrigerators or chillers. “Installing commercial-grade refrigerators or chillers would require a substantial investment, which many small traders may not be able to afford,” he said, adding that the cost of refrigeration, electricity and related infrastructure could eventually push up prices for consumers. The Association has therefore asked the FDA to consid er the nature of Goa’s local beef trade, consumer buying preferences and the constraints faced by small businesses while implementing the directive.
The issue follows FDA Director Shweta Dessai’s direc tion on Tuesday that beef sold at shops and stalls must be stored or maintained at the required cold temperature to ensure food safety. She also warned against keeping meat hanging in the open for prolonged periods. While the traders have sought a more practical approach, Bepari stressed that the Association was not opposed to food-safety measures. It has instead urged the FDA to en gage with traders to work out an affordable system that addresses food-safety requirements without imposing an undue burden on small businesses or consumers.
