Major retailers and hypermarkets yesterday moved quickly to reassure consumers about the safety of pork and supply stability after authorities reported the nation’s first case of African swine fever (ASF).
Minister of Agriculture Chen Junne-jih (陳駿季) announced the case at a news conference yesterday, saying that 195 pigs had been culled after samples from dead animals on a farm in Taichung’s Wuci District (梧棲) tested positive for ASF.
The farm was known to use kitchen waste for feed, he said, adding that an investigation is under way to determine how the virus entered the premises.
Photo courtesy of the Taichung City Government
To contain a potential outbreak, the Ministry of Agriculture launched several emergency measures, and a response command post has been set up in Taichung, with nationwide farm inspections under way.
Leading supermarket chains — including PX Mart, Carrefour and A-mart — emphasized that all pork sold in their stores is sourced from certified local farms and slaughterhouses that comply with government disease-control and food safety regulations.
They also vowed to maintain stable supplies of pork throughout the government’s order to halt slaughtering for five days.
A-mart said its pork primarily comes from Taiwan Sugar Corp and registered farms in Pingtung County, all of which meet animal health and inspection standards.
The retailer pledged to maintain sufficient stock in its stores and monitor official updates to adjust sourcing as needed.
PX Mart said all pork sold in its stores comes from contract farms and certified slaughterhouses with full traceability and veterinary supervision during the slaughter process.
In a similar statement, Carrefour said its chilled and frozen Taiwanese pork products are sourced from traceable partner farms under strict health monitoring.
The company added that it regularly audits qualified slaughterhouses and would continue to ensure a steady supply of pork while adhering to food safety regulations.
Meanwhile, health experts reassured the public that ASF does not pose a risk to human health and cannot be transmitted from pigs to people.
They advised consumers to buy only certified pork and ensure it is thoroughly cooked.
Yen Tzung-hai (顏宗海), director of the Clinical Toxicology Center at Linkou Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, said that ASF affects only pigs and wild boars, not humans.
While the disease is not zoonotic, it can cause mass pig deaths in a short period and severe economic losses, he said.
Yen added that pork should always be cooked thoroughly to prevent other illnesses.
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