PORK sold in some local wet markets has high microbial contamination, a research conducted by a group of animal science students of the University of Negros Occidental-Recoletos in Bacolod City showed.
In their research study on the "Levels of Microbial Contamination in Pork sold at Selected Wet Markets in Negros Occidental" conducted recently, the researchers recommended for the improvement of meat product handling and sanitation in the province.
For the Provincial Veterinary Office (PVO), this goes to show that contamination may likely occur even before meat products are made available in the wet markets.
It said that exposure to contaminants most often takes place during production, slaughtering, storage as well as during the transporting stage.
In fact, based on the research findings, factors contributing to microbial contamination are improper sanitation in the slaughterhouse, the transportation used to transfer the meat products from slaughterhouse to wet market, and the lengthy exposure to air and other substances.
Provincial Veterinarian Renante Decena said despite government issuances to regulate and increase awareness on food safety issues among consumers, capability and competency of the meat industry in the province has yet to improve especially in terms of quality control.
Decena said contributory factors such as poor handling and storage system in different wet markets in the province also leads to failure of ensuring contamination-free pork and other meat products.
"Thus, vital role of government intervention comes into play through the enforcement of stronger institutional regulations on public health and food safety governance," he added.
Negros Occidental is one of the biggest hog meat producers in Western Visayas, contributing about 30 percent of the total production in the region.
Pork is one of the most in demand meat products specifically in public wet markets.
Decena said PVO, through its frontline services divisions Animal Health and Inspection Services and Research and Laboratory Services, commits to do its part to contain and prevent the spread of Avian Influenza viruses and other pathogens in the local wet markets.
The province will also adopt the result of the research to intensify meat handling measures through one, involving local government units on meat safety practices.
PVO will also provide some general guidelines to design project proposals particularly on procurement of meat vans and meat shops as well as upgrading of abattoirs, he added.