How to identify donkey meat? Here’s a complete details

Although the sale of donkey meat is banned in Pakistan, reports about its illegal trade continue to surface. This has raised serious concerns among the public, especially about donkey meat being sold as beef or mutton.

Recent Raid in Islamabad

The Islamabad Food Authority recently raided a clandestine slaughterhouse in Tarnol, where they found:

• Over 50 donkeys,

• 25 maunds of meat,

• Remains of 14 slaughtered donkeys,

• And 45 live donkeys rescued.

According to officials, the meat was being stored in cold storage. Some of it was meant for foreign nationals in Pakistan, while donkey hides and meat were also being sent abroad. Two foreign nationals and a butcher, allegedly brought from overseas, have been arrested for running this illegal operation.

So far, initial investigations suggest no proof that this meat had reached local markets for public sale.

How to Spot Donkey Meat

Donkey meat is hard to tell apart from beef or mutton, but here are some clues:

• Color & Texture: Dark red, fine-grained, and with whitish-gray fat.

• Meat Fibers: Softer and more slippery than beef or goat. It may slide off your palm.

• Smell: May give off a sweet or unusual smell when cooked.

• Taste & Chewiness: Slightly sweet and harder to chew.

• Boiling Foam: When boiled, it may create more foam than regular meat.

Tips to Stay Safe

• Buy meat only from certified butchers or government-approved meat shops.

• If possible, watch the animal being slaughtered.

• Look for proper stamps or verification marks on the meat.

Being alert and informed helps ensure you and your family avoid unknowingly consuming donkey meat.

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