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Monday, April 27, 2009 |
David Eaheart, APR
david_eaheart@seaboardfoods.com
913-261-2621 |
Pork is safe to eat: North American flu reports pose no threat to consuming pork |
Statement by Rod K. Brenneman, Seaboard Foods President and CEO
April 27, 2009
Seaboard Foods is closely monitoring the recently reported cases of influenza in North America and taking extra precautionary steps in its integrated pork production system to maintain the well-being of its employees and animals.
Seaboard Foods’ integrated system enforces strict biosecurity measures to protect the well-being of its animals and employees. This includes closely monitoring herds for influenza, administering preventative health programs and following proper cleanliness protocols. For the well-being of its animals and employees, Seaboard Foods is diligently monitoring its swine herds and has taken extra precautionary biosecurity measures to maintain the good health of employees and its animals.
To date, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC ) and the USDA have no reports the influenza virus currently causing illness in humans is circulating anywhere in the U.S. swine herd. Dr. Luc Dufresne, Seaboard Foods director of health assurance, also reports that no evidence of this particular virus is in the Seaboard Foods’ live production system.
The CDC and the USDA have reported influenza viruses are not transmitted by food and touching uncooked pork cannot infect someone with the virus. The reported cases of flu in North America have been contracted through direct human to human contact. Pork is safe to eat and people cannot get influenza from eating properly handled and cooked pork or pork products.
Our customers can be reassured we are monitoring the influenza situation closely, and all pork products marketed by Seaboard Foods are safe to eat when handled and cooked properly. Food safety is of utmost importance and we are committed to producing and providing our customers pork products with unsurpassed quality control and food safety.
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