Eating pork is safe, says Defra

The Government has re-assured caterers and the public there is no evidence that 'swine fever' can be transmitted through pork products.

The Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), has issued a statement following reports that the swine 'flu outbreak in Mexico is spreading around the world with confirmed cases already reported in the US, Canada, New Zealand and Spain.

The chief veterinary officer (CVO) at Defra makes clear that eating properly handled and cooked pork and pork products is perfectly safe. Cooking pork to an internal temperature of 81°C (160°F) kills the swine 'flu virus, as it does other bacteria and viruses.

"Existing EU rules which prevent imports of all live pigs and pigmeat from Mexico into the EU will continue to be upheld," he said.

Governments around the world are currently hurrying to contain the spread of the virus.

At least 100 people are now suspected to have died of the disease in Mexico, according to the BBC. Mexico health secretary Jose Angel Cordova said the number of suspected swine 'flu cases in his country had risen to 1,614.

Russia, China and Thailand have banned imports of raw pork and pork products from Mexico and parts of the US, though health experts say there was no evidence to link exposure to pork with the infection.

In the Mexican capital schools, restaurants, bars and public buildings such as churches remain closed and many people are choosing to stay indoors.

Defra has announced it will continue to keep the public and other stakeholders informed of any developments and that over the coming week veterinary experts will do an assessment of the risk in the UK.

Words: Maria Bracken

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