Alta Halal Meat is covered by Alberta Health Services

A Calgary halal butcher that closed in April to reopen in early May has been told to close again by Alberta Health Services (AHS).

Alta Halal Meat at 6426 NE 36 was one of eight businesses ordered closed by AHS on April 22 due to an RCMP investigation into illegal animal slaughter.

Businesses were allowed to reopen on May 4, but health officials said a May 17 re-inspection of Alta Halal Meat found “fuzzy” inspection seals.

“There is evidence that uninspected meat has been bought and sold,” AHS wrote in its inspection report.

“Alberta Agriculture Meat Inspector Confirms Three Lamb and One Goat Carcasses Are Not Legitimately Stamped”.

The investigators confiscated the said meat and ordered the closure of the enterprise pending the completion of a full investigation.

“Consuming uninspected meat poses a serious health risk. The presence of uninspected meat in a facility also poses a risk through potential cross-contamination of other foods via food handling surfaces and equipment,” AHS said.

Anyone who buys meat or related products from the business is told to dispose of it.