A 51-year-old male has been arrested following a National Food Crime Unit (NFCU) operation involving illegal bushmeat.
Officers from the Food Standards Agency’s NFCU, together with the Metropolitan Police Service Peckham Rye Safer Neighbourhood Team, attended an address in Southeast London where they seized approximately 11kg of bushmeat species including cane rat and antelope.
Bushmeat is wild animal meat that has been hunted, often from species found in tropical regions.
The operation targeted illegally imported meat products which pose potential food safety risks to consumers, and a 51-year-old male was arrested and released under investigation.
According to NFCU, illegally imported meat bypasses the “rigorous” safety and hygiene checks required for food sold in the UK and can carry diseases and contaminants that put consumers at risk.
David Toms-Sheridan, head of investigations (South of England and Wales) at the NFCU, said: “The NFCU have been working closely with the Metropolitan Police Service and other Subject Matter Experts to identify those suspected of being involved in this criminality. This operation forms part of the NFCU’s ongoing work to disrupt the illegal meat trade and prevent unsafe products from reaching the public.
“The FSA advises consumers not to buy or eat illegally imported meat, including bushmeat, as it may pose serious health risks. If you have concerns about products being sold, contact your local authority.
“We remain vigilant to the threat of illegal meat entering the food chain and will continue to take action to protect the public.”
NFCU stated that enquiries were ongoing.
