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Tuesday, November 3, 2009 10:08 PM CST
Pork is safe to eat
Mary Cox, Coles County Farm Bureau
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced that the USDA’s National Veterinary Services Laboratories has confirmed the presence of the 2009 H1N1 influenza virus in a sample from a show hog in Minnesota.
This does not suggest infection of commercial herds because show hogs and commercially raised hogs are in separate segments of the swine industry that do not typically interchange personnel or animal stock.
Also, this finding of the 2009 H1N1 virus in swine does not change the fact that you cannot get the H1N1 flu from eating pork. Pork and pork products remain safe to eat and handle.
The USDA has conducted scientific studies that have proven that the H1N1 flu is a respiratory virus, not a food-borne illness. It is not found in the blood or meat of hogs exposed to the virus.
Hog producers continue to practice good hygiene, biosecurity, and other preventative practices to keep their herds healthy.
The U.S. government has strict regulations to protect the safety of our food supply. All pork in retail stores is inspected by the USDA, every hog is inspected to ensure only healthy hogs enter our food supply, and a seal is posted stating “Passed and Inspected by USDA.”
Unfortunately, the pork industry has taken a hit from the reaction of the H1N1 outbreak and the false information that pork is not safe to eat or handle. According to the National Pork Producers Council, the industry is losing $2.5 million a day.
For a hog producer that is about $6 a head, thus making it hard for them to stay in the business. We definitely do not want to rely on pork imports. Other countries do not have such strict guidelines as the USDA to ensure our food supply is safe.
U.S hog producers and other livestock producers work hard to provide the consumer with the best product he or she can. Just like you, they, too, consume meat products and want to keep the food supply safe.
One last thing, like any other virus, the main way that the H1N1 flu spreads is when an infected person coughs or sneezes. To help protect you and your family from the H1N1 flu, be sure to wash your hands with soap and water or hand sanitizer and avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. If you or a family member begins having flu symptoms, please contact your doctor.
PrimeTimers to meet
The Prime Timers will meet on Nov. 19. Lunch will be at 11:30 a.m. and a tour of the Tarble Arts Center will follow. Please RSVP by calling 345-3276 or 234-2125.
Mary Cox is the manager of the Coles County Farm Bureau.
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Read all over wrote on Nov 5, 2009 8:05 AM: