Health officials in Muthanna conduct inspections in Samawah’s Khadija market, destroying unsafe meat and monitoring prices ahead of Ramadan.
Securing 'pledges'
Health inspectors clamp down on unsafe meat, warn against price hikes ahead of Ramadan
MUTHANNA — Health inspectors in Muthanna launched a campaign Tuesday to destroy unsafe meat and monitor prices for meat, chicken and fish at Samawah’s Khadija market, local officials said.
The initiative, carried out in coordination with commercial oversight teams, organized crime units, national security and intelligence agencies, also involved securing “pledges” from vendors not to raise prices ahead of Ramadan.
Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar and the holiest month for Muslims worldwide, is observed with fasting from dawn to sunset—abstaining from eating, drinking, smoking and other physical needs.
Ibrahim Al-Jayashi, deputy director of commercial oversight in Muthanna, told 964media that inspectors found and destroyed spoiled beef and lamb deemed unfit for human consumption.
“The meat was exposed, unclean, and some lacked official slaughterhouse stamps, while other products had entered the market illegally,” Al-Jayashi said.
Several shop owners received warnings, and authorities took “pledges” from vendors to maintain stable prices as Ramadan approaches. In Iraq, prices often rise during the holy month due to increased demand for food and essential goods, as families prepare special meals for iftar—the meal that breaks the fast after sunset—and suhoor, the pre-dawn meal eaten before the fast begins. However, some shopkeepers have been accused of exploiting the heightened demand by raising prices.
