Updated: Wed May. 06 2009 17:39:56

ctvcalgary.ca

A warning from the World Health Organization is creating a bit of confusion.

On Wednesday, the WHO issued a warning about consuming meat from pigs infected with the H1N1 virus.

The WHO said infected pigs shouldn't be used for human consumption because it is possible for flu viruses to survive the freezing process and be present in thawed meat as well as in blood.

Canada's chief public health officer says the comments are no cause for alarm. "There is no reason to stop eating pork. The inspection system in Canada addresses that. We do not eat sick animals or other animals in that position," says Dr. Dave Butler.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency says checks and balances are in place to ensure any infected or sick animals, of any kind, don't make their way to the consumer.

The CFIA says concern over H1N1 has even increased the screening levels on farms and in processing plants.

In late April, about 220 central Alberta pigs in a herd of 2,200 began showing signs of the infection after they became infected by a worker who had recently been in Mexico.

Dr. Gerald Hauer, Alberta's chief veterinarian, says they are still deciding what to do with the animals. "Once the pigs recover, there is no risk. But will they enter the food supply? That remains to be seen. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is in talks with their public health partners," says Hauer.

Dr. Hauer says pork products are safe to eat as long as they are cooked properly.

The WHO maintains that import bans on pork are not required and this is good news for Alberta pork producers.

The Philippines is expected to lift its ban on Alberta pork by the end of the week.

Please Add Comments

Darin.
Having been a food industry professional my whole life, I can tell you that when you cook food you are cooking it to kill the harmful bacteria. All harmful bacteria are killed at 165 degrees fahrenheit, and that is the minimum temperature that meat should be cooked at. Aside from that a flu virus is not going to be transmitted through the contact of raw or cooked meat, this is a no brainer.
When all these countries come back and want to buy pork again, we should refuse to sell it to them which will cause the pork prices to increase, and make these idiots pay premium dollars for it.

Dave S Calgary
The WHO needs to start thinking again before shooting from the hip, how many people would even know if pork that had the infection made it to our food chain, Not many.
This is getting blown so far out of proportion that it isn't even funny.STOP ALREADY

Mark
Is this seriously still a topic to be talking about? It is just a regular flu people. Get over it.

Brent in Calgary
Thankfully our gov't -- unlike those of the ignorant and uninformed of Iraq, Egypt and China -- have reacted properly to the situation.

TLC
I've already gone out and deliberately bought some pork to support our pork industry ... ummm ... BBQ pork on buns! Can hardly wait!

joe
I will believe whatever WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION has to say!
I have seen couple months how The Canadian Food Inspection Agency can react.....when 15-16 people have died in listeria case!

melissa wittman
I think that the pork ban from the h1n1, dose not affect, ctv is correct it is a respiratory condition that dose not affect the meat. it would affect if it was a blood contition. im 17 and i even know this. its pretty much common sense!