Confusion rages over kangaroo

WINDHOEK ELLANIE SMITOnly two companies have ever imported kangaroo meat into Namibia, the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Forestry has revealed.These two companies are Capital Meat and Deep Catch Trading. The ministry's records show that Capital Meat last imported kangaroo meat in 2010 while Deep Catch Trading imported the product in 2012. No kangaroo meat was imported to Namibia this year.Capital Meat made news headlines in 2010 when it emerged that the company blended meat products with imported kangaroo and supplied the meat to a number of State hostels in Namibia.Recently, kangaroo meat again came under the spotlight when the product was found in samples of chilli droÃ«wors sold in Namibia.A local consumer lobby group collected ten samples of processed meat from various shops in Windhoek and sent them to South Africa for DNA screening. Only two of the ten products were found to have the correct ingredients listed on their labels.The Permanent Secretary of the Agriculture Ministry, Joseph Iita, said in a statement last week that the ministry wants to clear up the apparent confusion regarding kangaroo meat in Namibia .He stressed that it is the legal responsibility of any company or individual food producer in Namibia to label products accurately to inform the consumer what the products contain.Iita pointed out that if for example kangaroo meat is used in a particular sausage, pie or other processed product the consumer has a legal right to make an informed decision as to whether he or she wants to eat the product.The kangaroo meat found in certain products points to incorrect labelling of the products by the manufacturer and must be dealt with in accordance with the relative labelling legislation, he said.Iita further said that according to the Animal Diseases and Parasites Act, any person or company that wants to import any animal or animal product into Namibia for consumption by the public must be in possession of a valid import permit from the Directorate of Veterinary Services.The import permit specifies strict conditions which must be complied with regarding the country and abattoir of origin, the final destination of the meat and the means of transportation, ensuring the continuation of a specified cold chain.In the case of the kangaroo meat the production of the meat must be in accordance with the Australian standard of hygienic production of game meat for human consumption.Iita also said that the consignment must be inspected and sealed by an official veterinarian in the country of origin, who is required to complete a detailed health questionnaire.These seals are broken by a veterinary official in Namibia who checks the temperature record of the entire journey and verifies the documentation, inspects the meat and may request additional laboratory tests if necessary. The meat is released to the importer only if it is fit for human consumption, said Iita.

Confusion rages over kangaroo

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Namibian Sun 2025-05-16

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Confusion rages over kangaroo

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Namibian Sun 2025-05-16

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