MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

FAO, OIE, WHO reiterate statement on A/H1N1 and safety of pork

To avoid any misunderstanding FAO, WHO and OIE reissued Thursday their joint statement referred to the safety of pork 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.