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Question: Is pork safe to eat?
Answer: U.S. food safety and public health officials, including the World Health Organization, Centers of Disease and Control and Prevention, and U.S. Department of Agriculture, have said that pork is safe and poses no risk of swine flu through consuming pork products. Consumers do not need to make any dietary changes in the wake of this flu news. In fact, pork is nutrient dense and packed with the vitamins and minerals that are essential for good health.
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Question: If you can't get it from pork, why do they call it swine flu?
Answer: The World Animal Health Organization - OIE - has suggested renaming the
virus the "North American Influenza." The subtype of this particular flu
virus contains genes similar to one that is common in pigs, thus the
initial name. Yet, this particular strain of flu virus is novel and has
never been reported in pigs. The original name was unfortunate and
misleading because it suggests that there is a link when none have been
confirmed.
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Question: But I'm still nervous. How do I ensure that my pork is safe?
Answer: You should continue to handle pork products in the same way that is
recommended every day to ensure safety. Keep it cold when transporting
it home from the store and during storage. Wash hands thoroughly before
preparing it. Keep raw pork separate from cooked foods. Wash anything
that touched raw pork thoroughly with hot soapy water. Cook thoroughly
and verify the temperature using a thermometer. And finally, refrigerate
leftovers promptly.
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Question: What steps is the government taking to make sure the pork supply remains safe?
Answer: The U.S. has one of the finest meat inspection systems in the world.
Federal veterinarians are in plants that process livestock at all times
and check every pig before they enter plants to ensure that all are
healthy and fit for consumption. Any pig showing signs of illness can be
removed from the food supply at any time by federal veterinarians.
Federal inspectors and U.S. pork producers work together to ensure the
safest product is produced.
At the present time, federal vets are on heightened alert because
maintaining a healthy pig herd in the U.S. is essential.
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Question: If U.S. pork is safe, why are other countries banning our pork?
Answer: Bans on pork imports by some nations are not justified by the science.
U.S. officials are in contact with these nations to provide the facts
and to secure restoration of trade.
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Question: Are workers who work in contact with pigs or pork safe from this virus?
Answer: The strain that is affecting humans has never been reported in pigs, and
because of that there is minimal risk to those who work with pigs in the
U.S. Employers and employees who work with swine animals should report
to work and continue to follow good employee practices, as recommended
by the American Association of Swine Veterinarians (http://www.aasv.org
) and the National Pork Board (http://www.pork.org) like:
- Establish, implement and enforce strict sick leave policies for workers
presenting influenza-like symptoms such as fever, cough, body aches, and
sometimes vomiting and diarrhea.
- Implement biosecurity for workers reporting international travel, have
international visitors, or movement in areas of concern.
Limit the access of people to essential personnel (farm employees,
veterinarians and essential service people);
- Follow other generally accepted biosecurity practices.
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Question: What should I do if I think I have the flu?
Answer: Federal health officials recommend that people showing signs of the flu
see their doctors immediately.