Auckland Butcher Tosses Contaminated Meat After Council Visit

Auckland’s new butcher shop, Shefco Meats, has been compelled to dispose of a significant quantity of meat following concerns about its storage practices. A photograph circulated on social media depicted animal carcasses stored in cardboard boxes and on a supermarket trolley, prompting an investigation by Auckland Council.

The image, which was posted on Facebook yesterday, raised alarms about food safety at the Flat Bush location. In response, Alan Ahmu, the environmental health response team leader at Auckland Council, confirmed that a food safety officer conducted an inspection of the premises today. They determined that all meat exposed to potential contamination, as highlighted in the photo, had to be discarded.

“The directive was complied with while the council’s officer was on-site,” Ahmu stated. He noted that a carcass hanging rail had been installed the day prior, and the refrigeration system was operational during the inspection. The temperature within the chiller met compliance standards. Ahmu added that since Shefco Meats has not yet commenced trading, the council will verify its food control plan once the shop opens.

The troubling image showed multiple carcasses inadequately stored, which raised serious concerns about hygiene practices. In a now-deleted response to the initial post, the owner of Shefco Meats explained that the carcasses were temporarily placed in “clean trolleys and boxes” while a meat rail was being installed. “Absolutely nothing was placed on the floor,” the owner insisted.

While the owner defended the establishment’s hygiene protocols, stating, “We take hygiene and food safety very seriously and are proud of the standards we uphold,” they expressed disappointment over the misrepresentation of the situation. “We’ve worked hard to bring something new and good to the Dawson Rd community,” they said, inviting community members to visit the shop and observe their processes.

The incident highlights the strict regulations under the Food Act 2014 and Food Regulations Act 2015, which mandate that any food present at a commercial premises must meet rigorous health and safety standards. Food businesses are required to actively ensure the safety of food kept on-site, safeguarding it for consumption.

Shefco Meats also operates a location at Stoddard Rd, Mt Albert. The recent events have drawn significant attention to the importance of maintaining high hygiene standards within the food industry, particularly for new establishments preparing to serve their communities.