Released May 1, 2009
AUBURN UNIVERSITY, Ala. - As more cases of the H1N1 flu, commonly called the swine flu by the media, are identified in the United States, an animal scientist with the Alabama Cooperative Extension System says consumers should have no concerns about eating pork.
Frank Owsley, who is Extension's meat animal quality assurance coordinator, says people can be assured that it is safe to eat pork and pork products.
"Plain and simple, people cannot get this flu by eating correctly prepared pork," he says. "This type of virus is not spread through food."
"Consumers can feel as safe in serving properly cooked ham, sausages and other pork products to their families tonight as they could a month ago."
It's a message not only coming from Owsley and animal scientists across the nation, but one that both the Centers for Disease Control and the World Health Organization are emphasizing as well.
Both organizations' recent press bulletins and Web sites stress that pork is safe to eat.
According to the CDC, this virus is thought to spread in the same way that seasonal flu does. Flu viruses are spread mainly from person to person through coughing or sneezing of people with influenza.
Owsley notes that the unwarranted concern over the safety of pork has further negatively impacted an industry already battered.
"High feed costs and other issues have made it increasingly difficult for pork producers in Alabama and the nation to make a living. Anything that potentially drives consumers away from pork at the meat counter will make it even harder on a struggling industry."
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