Not many haleem centres using stamped meat

Hyderabad: The ubiquitous haleem outlets are drawing big crowds. But how safe are these haleem centres is a million dollar question.

It is learnt that most of the haleem outlets are serving the delicacy made out of unstamped meat.

According to the survey of the civic body, there are 741 haleem outlets, which according to anybody’s guess is far a small number.

Highly-placed sources in the GHMC said that the civic body’s health and sanitation giving false reports on animal slaughter during the Ramzan month.

The ground-level staff neither conducted any inspections to check the standard of meat whether it is stamped or un-stamped or inspected the hygiene of the haleem outlets.

The negligence of health and sanitation wing has been posing grave threat citizens, according to these sources.

However, Chief Veterinary Officer P Venkateswar Reddy told The Hans India that the nearly 700 cattle have been slaughtered in the civic body slaughter houses.

The GHMC has been not taking fish and chicken in to account. Out of 700 cattle about 90 per cent are goat and sheep and 10 per cent is beef.

All major city hotels have been serving stamped meat, but not sure about minor haleem outlets which come up on street corners.

Interestingly, the number of haleem outlets are more but the number cattle which have been slaughtered is far less. Where does the rest of the meat is being supplied to these haleem makers.

Venkateswar Reddy further said that the GHMC food inspectors and assistant medical officer for health (AMoHs) have been conducting regular inspections to check quality of meat at all haleem outlets.

When asked about number cases registered for serving unstamped meat, he said no cases were booked so far since all the haleem outlets have been serving stamped meat.

When asked about the number of haleem outlets, he said that the civic body had only identified 741 outlets.

But just take a tour of Hyderabad streets after sunset, you will be surprised to know 741 is a small number.