What is bushmeat seized by the FSA in London?

Bushmeat refers to meat from wild animals, often from tropical regions, that have been hunted. The recent seizure in London included pangolins, cane rats, and porcupines.

What are the risks of eating illegally imported meat like bushmeat?

Illegally imported meat bypasses safety and hygiene checks, potentially carrying diseases and contaminants that pose serious health risks to consumers.

What action did the Food Standards Agency take in Deptford?

The Food Standards Agency, with the Metropolitan Police, seized 38kg of illegal frozen bushmeat in Deptford and arrested a 57-year-old man as part of an investigation into the illegal meat trade.

Home / Crime and Justice / Bushmeat Haul Seized: Pangolins & More Found

Bushmeat Haul Seized: Pangolins & More Found

11 Dec

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Summary

38kg of illegal frozen bushmeat seized, including endangered pangolins.
Man arrested in Deptford, south-east London, in food safety operation.
Illegally imported meat bypasses safety checks, posing health risks.

Bushmeat Haul Seized: Pangolins & More Found

In a significant operation targeting illegal food imports, authorities in Deptford, south-east London, have confiscated approximately 38kg of frozen bushmeat. The seized items included critically endangered pangolins, cane rats, and porcupines, underscoring the illicit trade's diverse and often protected wildlife targets. The Food Standards Agency (FSA) and Metropolitan Police led the raid on December 5, resulting in the arrest of a 57-year-old man, who was later released under investigation.

The FSA emphasized that illegally imported meat bypasses the stringent safety and hygiene standards required for food sold within the UK. This lack of regulation means such products can carry dangerous diseases and contaminants, posing a substantial risk to public health. The agency strongly advises consumers against purchasing or consuming bushmeat and other illicitly imported meat products due to these severe health concerns.