Pork producers are committed to maintaining high product quality and consumer satisfaction.
In the ongoing spread of influenza A/H1N1, concerns about the virus being found in pigs and the safety of pork and pork products have been raised.
Influenza viruses are not known to be transmissible to people through eating processed pork or other food products derived from pigs.
Consumers can be assured of the following:
- Influenza A(H1N1) is not a food safety concern. You can continue to enjoy eating pork.
- You cannot catch influenza A(H1N1) from consuming pork or pork products.
- The safety of the food supply is not affected and Canadian pork continues to be safe to eat.
- Influenza viruses do not affect the safety of pork, according to the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).
Influenza A(H1N1) Questions and Answers
Joint FAO/WHO/OIE Statement on influenza A(H1N1) and the safety of pork
7 May 2009
To avoid any misunderstanding FAO, WHO and OIE would like to reissue their joint statement originally issued on 30 April.
In the ongoing spread of influenza A(H1N1), concerns about the possibility of this virus being found in pigs and the safety of pork and pork products have been raised.
Influenza viruses are not known to be transmissible to people through eating processed pork or other food products derived from pigs.
Heat treatments commonly used in cooking meat (e.g. 70°C/160°F core temperature) will readily inactivate any viruses potentially present in raw meat products.
Pork and pork products, handled in accordance with good hygienic practices recommended by the WHO , Codex Alimentarius Commission and the OIE, will not be a source of infection
Authorities and consumers should ensure that meat from sick pigs or pigs found dead are not processed or used for human consumption under any circumstances.
See World Health Organization website