No worries about eating Australian pork
Reported April 29, 2009
As news of swine flu outbreaks dominates the media, the national representative body for Australian pork producers has acted to assure people that they should not be concerned about eating pork or pork products.
Australian Pork said Australian consumers can have the utmost confidence in the wholesomeness and disease free status of Australian pork.
Australian pork and processed products are safe to eat, Australian Pork said in a media release. The global concern with so-called swine flu has been declared as not being a food-borne safety issue by leading world and local health organisations.
Consumers should also realise that swine flu is a disease that does not exist in Australian pigs.
The Australian Veterinary Association also issued a release ruling out any threat to Australian pigs or any health issues from eating pork.
Australia has well organised medical and veterinary response arrangements in place to identify and manage any outbreak if swine flu reaches Australia, said AVA president, Dr Mark Lawrie.
Australian doesnt import pigs so were not worried about animals getting sick or spreading this disease.
People should have no qualms about going ahead and eating pork. Swine flu is not spread through food. In any case, the swine flu virus is inactive as soon as the meat reaches 70°C during cooking.