In Recife, horse meat would be turned into hot dogs.
An operation by the Consumer Crimes Division at the Afogados public market, in the western part of Recife, seized approximately 500 kilos of horse meat that were being sold there; a 62-year-old woman was arrested and confirmed that she was selling the product to kiosks and hot dog stands because she was experiencing financial difficulties; according to the police chief, Roberto Wanderley, the meat “was not being sold to the average consumer. The vendors knew it was horse meat, and they also bought it to make kebabs and sell on the street.”
PE247 - An operation by the Consumer Crimes Division at the Afogados public market, in the western part of Recife, seized approximately 500 kilos of horse meat that was being sold there. The merchant, Maria Iraci dos Santos, 62, was arrested and confirmed that she was selling the product to kiosks and hot dog stands due to financial difficulties. She gave a statement and was then transferred to the Recife women's prison.
According to the police chief, Roberto Wanderley, the horse meat originated from an illegal slaughterhouse located in the municipality of Lajedo, in the Agreste region of the state. The product was sold during the early morning hours to evade inspection. “It wasn't sold to the average consumer. The vendors knew it was horse meat, and they also bought it to make kebabs and sell them on the street,” Wanderley told the G1 Pernambuco news portal.
The trade in horse meat is prohibited throughout the national territory. Horse slaughter is carried out in clandestine slaughterhouses and does not undergo any type of sanitary control, posing health risks. The seized material will be collected by the Health Surveillance agency.