ASF-infected meat brands being validated

While the ASF does not affect human health, the “mere handling” of ASF-tainted meat makes one a carrier of the virus, which he or she could then pass onto pigs.

Processed meat alarm Three brands of tocino, longganisa and hotdog were found positive for the fatal swine virus but the Agriculture department has yet to identify them.

The Department of Agriculture (DA) on Friday said it is still validating which three brands of processed pork have tested positive for African swine fever (ASF) following the alarm raised by such findings.

In a radio interview, Agriculture Secretary Willam Dar said the test samples were a mix of “locally processed” products, both branded and unbranded, lumped together in two containers from Central Luzon that were seized recently at a quarantine checkpoint.

Previously, a group of hog raisers — citing results from the DA’s Bureau of Animal Industry — revealed that three brands of tocino, longganisa and hotdog were positive for the virus that causes hemorrhagic fever in pigs that almost always ends in death.

“A portion of the DNA of the virus or genome of the virus was what we saw,” said Dar. “We will still validate to separate these different brands or products so we could see if they are really positive for ASF or if it’s consistent with our test. The products were all mixed together, that’s the problem. There might have been contamination.”

The Agriculture secretary stressed that while the ASF does not affect human health, the “mere handling” of ASF-tainted meat makes one a carrier of the virus, which he or she could then pass onto pigs.

Dar also noted that the virus only dies if exposed to heat of at least 70 degrees Celsius for 30 minutes.

“The person that handles the meat with ASF, they are now spreading, carrying the virus,” said Dar.

The Philippine Association of Meat Processors Inc (PAMPI) earlier said it was “unfair” that no brands were mentioned in the agriculture agency’s report as these could hit the sales of all pork products.

Purefoods-Hormel, one of the major meat processing firms in the country, however has guaranteed that its products are ASF free and safe to eat.

It said Purefoods products are produced in company-controlled facilities and processing plants that have passed all stringent requirements of Bureau of Animal Industry, National Meat Inspection and Food and Drug Administration.

The pork ingredients in its products, the company said come from farms that are strictly supervised by San Miguel Foods and observe the highest level of bio-security measures while the imported materials come from ASF-free countries. Moreover, all local pork ingredients in Purefoods processed meats are tested for ASF prior to use.

Chilled products like hotdogs, Christmas hams and canned products like luncheon Meats, the firm said, are cooked in high temperatures ensuring safety from harmful organisms.

In Abra, meanwhile, the presence of an Artificial Insemination Laboratory is proving to be a big help in protecting the pigs from possible ASF infection.

Dr. Jomar Zales of the Office of the Provincial Veterinarian (OPVet) said that the semen stored in the facility are locally produced. This he said came from pure bred swine like Land Race, Large White, and Duroc that were bred in the province’s breeding station.

The said semen will be distributed as free under the Artificial Insemination Program of the Provincial Government of Abra. The program is said to help in uplifting the livestock production that will ensure the livelihood and food security of Abreños.