Crocodile Carcass Discovered at Food Establishment in Montego Bay

MONTEGO BAY, St James — Public health officials are advising residents to consume only approved meats following the shocking discovery of a crocodile carcass at a food establishment in Montego Bay. The find was made on November 25 during an inspection of a venue previously ordered closed and undergoing a re-evaluation ahead of a potential reopening.

The discovery was confirmed by Chief Public Health Inspector for St James, Shericka Lewis, during Thursday’s monthly meeting of the St James Municipal Corporation. Lewis highlighted the risks of consuming unapproved meats and urged the public to stick to regulated options.

“I just want to remind persons, though we may have exotic tastes and want to consume various types of meats, we want to ensure that these animals are currently approved for slaughter as meat for humans in Jamaica,” Lewis said.

During the meeting, Lewis explained that the inspection was part of a routine follow-up after the business requested to reopen. “That establishment is a food handling establishment which was closed by the public health department prior to this discovery,” she stated. “It was upon us going for a revisit — because they called us to say that they are ready for a reopening — so when we went there and we did the second inspection, the carcass was found.”

The matter has since been escalated to the National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA), which is reportedly pursuing legal action against the offending party.

Lewis took the opportunity to remind residents of the animals currently approved for human consumption in Jamaica. These include cattle (bulls, steer, cows), pigs, sheep, goats, rabbits, and poultry such as chickens, ducks, turkeys, and guinea fowls.

The incident comes amid a broader “meat drive” initiated by the public health department on December 2 to ensure the safety and quality of meats during the festive season. Lewis reported that 15 meat shops were inspected during the drive, with seven found unsatisfactory.

“From this drive, we seized and condemned approximately 140 kilogrammes of local beef and 45 kilogrammes of local goat meat. These meats were found to be uninspected and [not] stamped by the public health inspectors,” she said.

The meat drive will continue through mid-January 2025 as authorities ramp up efforts to ensure public health safety.

Residents are urged to remain vigilant, purchase meats only from reputable vendors, and report any suspicious activity to the relevant authorities.