Meat products company Mekeni recently announced the recall of its pork products after a report showing some processed foods were positive for the African Swine Fever (ASF) virus.
According to the company, the said move was a ‘voluntary recall’ to ensure that they alleviate the possibility that their products may be carriers of ASF. Their products are scheduled to undergo testing to check for possible exposure of the said virus in compliance with government regulations. The company also sent samples of their pork-based products to an independent testing facility.
“Even as we wait for the results of these tests, we have decided to initiate a voluntary recall of all of our pork-based products effective 26 October 2019. This is to ensure that we mitigate the possibility that our products inadvertently become carriers of ASF,” the firm said in a statement.
Mekeni reiterated that their products are safe for human consumption and pose no danger to human health.
The Department of Agriculture said that they have not ordered a recall from the company, but welcomed its move. DAR Secretary William Dar reiterated, “It’s their decision, [we only implement regulations]. If this is part of solving the problem, then that’s a welcome development.”
Earlier, a traveler from Luzon going to Mindoro was carrying several pork-based food items which have been confiscated and tested positive for the virus. DAR, although publicly reported the case, did not name the company brand involved in the incident. This sparked outrage from the industry for possible scare on all meat-based products.
African Swine Fever has been a global health problem for hogs as thousands of them died after being inflicted. This virus is highly contagious with symptoms of high fever, appetite lose and hemorrhage on the infected animal.
Pigs die in a span of 2 to 10 days upon affliction, and no known vaccine has yet been developed.
In the Philippines, cases were reported in the province of Rizal and Bulacan.
Source: CNN – https://cnnphilippines.com/news/2019/10/26/mekeni-food-corporation-recall-pork-products.html
