Dodgy beef on sale in Medan

MEDAN, North Sumatra: Tons of illegally imported beef continue to be sold every day in traditional markets across North Sumatra province, vendors said here on Monday.

They added that the illegally imported meat was sold covertly to avoid detection by the authorities.

Nining, a soup vendor in Medan, said she could easily find illegal meat being sold by traders in local markets.

"The meat is said to be imported from India through Tanjungbalai port in Asahan district," she said.

She said that the meat was up to 100 percent cheaper than the local product at between Rp 20,000 (US$2.2) and Rp 23,000 per kilogram. Local meat is sold for between Rp 39,000 and Rp 41,000 per kilogram.

"We can easily distinguish between local meat and the imported stuff. The imported meat is redder and is kept in boxes in cold storage. It is also offered to consumers covertly," Nining said. --Antara