Tocino, hotdog, longganisa processed meat products tested positive for ASF

Tocino, hotdog, and longganisa processed meat products have tested positive for African Swine Fever (ASF).

The government was about to lift the ban on transporting and entry of processed meat products in Visayas and Mindanao when the test results came out.

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The Bureau of Animal Industry confirmed that three processed meat samples (hotdog, longganisa or Filipino-style sausage, and tocino) have ASF viral DNA. A real-time polymerase chain reaction test was used according to the clinical laboratory report dated October 15.

Processed meat products tested positive for ASF are likely imported

Agriculture group Samahang Industriya ng Agrikultura (Sinag) claimed the ASF positive meat products were most likely imported, emphasizing that processed meat products do not undergo ASF testing.

“This only proves that we should not trust the claims of processors that the ASF virus can actually be killed once it undergoes heat treatment,” Sinag said.

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Sinag already requested Agriculture Secretary William Dar, Health Secretary Francisco Duque III, and Customs Commissioner Leonardo Guerrero to implement Quarantine First Policy because of the incident.

“With the current ASF pandemic, it is high time that the provision of the law be realized and fulfilled. Pork and pork-based products have never been subjected to any ASF testing at the first port of entry,” Sinag explained.

“All containers with pork and pork-based imports and pork byproducts should be examined and checked 100 percent at the port of first entry,” Sinag added.

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The Department of Agriculture (DA) confirmed ASF cases in Rizal, Bulacan, Pampanga, Pangasinan, Quezon City, Cavite, and Nueva Ecija as of today. The DA also culled up 62,000 pigs since the African Swine Fever outbreak started in August.