Discovery of Several Tons of Spoiled Meat at Sausage and Salami Factory

A sausage and salami factory in northern Iran was sealed off following the discovery of approximately four tons of spoiled meat. According to Tasnim News Agency, citing the police chief of Golestan, the police received reports of the use of unhygienic meat for producing sausages and salami in one of the factories in this city. According to Reza Askari, the police chief of Golestan, police officers, along with a veterinary representative and the public and revolutionary prosecutor's office, went to the factory and managed to uncover 3,800 kilograms of spoiled and unhygienic meat. The report adds that after conducting initial investigations and assessments, the veterinary representative announced that the meat used for producing sausages and salami in this factory was spoiled. The report emphasizes that the factory in question has been sealed and the accused has been arrested, without mentioning the name of the factory or the responsible individual. Previously, multiple violations by food processing factories in Iran have been reported. In 2015, the production line of a sausage and salami manufacturer in Damavand County was sealed off in cooperation with the provincial government and the Standards Organization. According to the officials of the government oversight, unauthorized colors and meat products were used in this unit. Processed food, even when all production regulations are followed, can still be harmful to health. The World Health Organization announced in November 2015 that consuming processed meats (such as sausages and salami) increases the risk of cancers such as colorectal, pancreatic, and prostate cancer. According to the organization's report, daily consumption of fifty grams of processed meat (two slices of ham) can increase the risk of colorectal cancer by up to 18 percent. This report was prepared by a team of 22 public health specialists and oncologists from ten different countries. According to Iranian law, the Veterinary Organization is responsible for overseeing the production units of sausage and salami meat products.