Sausages with Pig Fat!!

Muna Al-Fuzai

I’m back and I missed you all. I believe this summer was one of the most active seasons in Kuwait this year and although Ramadan came in the middle of the regular summer vacation, it clearly did not stop many from tracking big stories. One of the most interesting ones was the ‘Sausages with pig fat’. It is a great title, even if it is not at all funny and some may think I ‘m making a fuss of it. It is not about the contents of these sausages, but it is about all the meat we consume and buy and the question of whether it is suitable for man’s use?

Now, everyone knows that Muslims prohibit eating pigs as part of their beliefs and rituals, so whether it came in sausages or slices, it is still not allowed for them to eat it. So, when a local company tries to disregard that fact by importing sausages contains pig fat, it would seem to be challenging the common faith of a million Muslims who live in Kuwait as both expatriates and citizens.
But, let’s examine how this shipment found its way into the country in the first place without being examined by the customs and Ministry of Health or the Municipality.

According to a press statement by Kuwait Municipality’s Deputy Director General for municipal services affairs, Mohammad Ghazay Al-Otaibi, the Municipality seized a large number of chicken sausages from a store in one company in Ardhiya and, after testing the food, it proved to contain pig fat!

So, the way I see this issue is that these sausages were permitted to enter the country, found its way to the company stores until possibly, accidentally, being seized by the Municipality’s inspectors.  Does that mean that any kind of  food can enter Kuwait smoothly and go to the public without being examined, if not for its spiritual restrictions but for suitability and safety for people’s use, until luck and fate plays its role?

Different reports recently came to the local media about famous food companies that have been using meat that was not suitable for humans. How would you feel if you were possibly served human flesh or a donkey or a monkey  or something that was not being carefully kept in a cold refrigerator and spoiled by the heat?

I’m really concerned about this issue, which is not about sausages with pig fat, as this is one topic not about meat companies in Kuwait and their measures taken for hygiene and safety, as much as the Municipality’s role in this. I believe that these companies need strict inspection all year long and their licenses must be taken for good in case of any attempts to cheat the public and offer them any consuming items that are not good for man’s use.

I think the customs officials also have to consider its role and responsibility in these incidents, since they allowed this food to be distributed, clearly after receiving their permission, so how come no one is talking about them?
Well, maybe it is time to become a vegetarian. That is safe and healthy.

By Muna Alfuzai
Muna@kuwaittimes.net

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