The Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Department of Health (DOH) through the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced the results of the DNA samples from the skinless longanisa and hotdog confiscated from a traveler at Calapan Port on October 6 which they jointly confirmed as African Swine Fever (ASF) positive.
Furthermore, both agencies confirmed that the products were from Mekeni Food Corporation, announced during a press conference held on November 4, 2019 at DA Central Office, Quezon City.
“The Veterinary Laboratory Division of the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) conducted two validation tests as requested by the manufacturer,” BAI OIC-Director Dr. Ronnie Domingo said.
“The DA, however, commends the management of Mekeni for recalling their products from the market even before the laboratory tests were concluded,” Domingo added.
Meanwhile, DOH Undersecretary and FDA OIC-Director Dr. Rolando Enrique Domingo said that based on the initial investigation conducted, Mekeni has surpassed the necessary requirements.
“But we will conduct further composite investigation and wait for the explanation of the company before our next move,” he said.
To ensure that meat products in the country are safe, Usec. Domingo said the FDA conducted random inspection to all processors in the country.
“Based on our inspections, 63 out of the 173 licensed processors in the country, are compliant. These 63 are the biggest manufacturers,” Usec. Domingo said.
“Our regulatory officers go to the factory to check the cleanliness of their area, their procedures, including proper documentation of the manufacturers,” he added.
Usec. Domingo said that FDA is open to authorize the National Meat Inspection Service (NMIS) inspectors to help DOH in monitoring processed pork products both in factory and in cold storage.
He said that they also sought the assistance of the Foreign Affairs for the monitoring of meat products being hand carried by passengers.
The DA and DOH also confirmed that the two cargo containers from China that were apprehended two weeks ago at the Port of Manila were tested positive for ASF. ### (Kristel Merle, DA-AFID)
