Iran Livestock Chief Fired After Exposing Rotten Meat Scandal

Iran Livestock Chief Fired After Exposing Rotten Meat Scandal

In a case that has sparked outrage among Iranian farmers and the public, Mojtaba Ali, the former head of Iran’s Central Livestock Union, was dismissed by the Minister of Agriculture after revealing that 100,000 kilograms of contaminated meat imported from Mongolia had entered Iran’s supply chain.

Ali told Iranian media that the shipment — initially rejected by Iraq due to poor quality and health risks — was redirected to Iran, where it was allegedly intended to be mixed with local meat and sold domestically.

“This is playing with people’s lives,” he said. “I had a duty to inform the public.”

He added that the imported meat was overpriced by at least $6,000 per ton, and claimed that both he and his family had been threatened following his disclosure.

The Ministry of Agriculture has so far offered no clarification on the origins or handling of the shipment. Critics say the firing of a whistleblower instead of investigating the corruption reflects a deep structural rot within Iran’s food import system.

Observers warn that the scandal is not just about contaminated meat — it’s about public trust. In a nation where inflation has pushed citizens toward cheaper, imported food, covering up health risks sends a chilling message: “Silence protects the system; truth gets you fired.”

Social media users have reacted strongly under hashtags such as #RottenMeat, #WhistleblowerFired, #FoodCorruption, #IranAgriculture, demanding transparency and accountability from the ministry.

Environmental Journalists Association | Journalistsir

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