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Western Highlands Provincial Health Authority

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Imported Chicken Cocktail disposal

WHPHA Health Inspectors pose for a group photo with representatives from provincial agencies including NAQIA, Customs, Immigration, and Mt. Hagen City Authority, during the loading of the 178 cartons of chicken cocktails, which were prepared for disposal.
WHPHA Health Inspectors pose for a group photo with representatives from provincial agencies including NAQIA, Customs, Immigration, and Mt. Hagen City Authority, during the loading of the 178 cartons of chicken cocktails, which were prepared for disposal.

Imports of fresh and frozen chicken products from abroad have been banned for sale in shops since 2023 due to a directive from the National Agriculture and Quarantine Inspection Authority (NAQIA), concerning biosecurity risks. 

Despite this ban, Pick N Pay supermarket in Mt. Hagen imported 200 unlabeled cartons of chicken cocktails this year. Out of these, 22 cartons were sold to customers, while the remaining 178 cartons were condemned and disposed of at Minimb, located outside Mt. Hagen City.

The disposal process was carried out in the presence of health inspectors from the Western Highlands Provincial Health Authority (WHPHA), officials from NAQIA, Mt Hagen City Authority, Customs, Immigration, Police, and two representatives from Pick N Pay.

WHPHA was initially alerted by a source about the illegal sale of unmarked boxes of chicken cocktails without labels. In response, they sent Health Inspectors who issued a cease notice two weeks ago (April 11). Following up on this breach of notice, WHPHA, with the support of NAQIA and other provincial agencies, responded promptly by confiscating and safely disposing of the chicken cocktails. This was done by burying them in a pit, which was then covered with engine oil and diesel before being set ablaze.

After the disposal, Health Inspectors Win Koi and Joe Wasia issued a Certificate of Condemnation to the management of Pick N Pay. Meanwhile, NAQIA will pursue further action against the supermarket owner if the details of the local supplier in Lae are not disclosed.

WHPHA’s acting Chief Executive Officer, Jane Holden, commended the Health Inspectors for safely disposing of the chicken products. She also expressed gratitude to the various agencies that collaborated to ensure the successful disposal.

Staff at Pick n Pay loaded 178 cartons of chicken cocktails to be disposed of.
Staff at Pick n Pay loaded 178 cartons of chicken cocktails to be disposed of.
The cocktails were disposed of in a large pit, where engine oil and diesel were added.
The cocktails were disposed of in a large pit, where engine oil and diesel were added.
The 178 cartons of cocktails were set on fire and then covered with soil.
The 178 cartons of cocktails were set on fire and then covered with soil.