CLARK FREEPORT -- Mekeni Food Corporation has assured the National Government of its cooperation with the ongoing investigation to determine the source of African Swine Fever (ASF) contamination in some of its products.
In a statement issued Monday, November 4, Mekeni also assured active support for the review of current protocols on issuing certifications for both local and imported raw meats.
Although only specific batches of Mekeni Picnic Hotdogs Regular 500 grams and Mekeni Skinless Longaniza (uncooked) 200 grams were found to have DNA traces of ASF, the food corporation has pulled out all of its pork-based products from its selling areas since their voluntary recall on October 26.
The recalled products are currently quarantined and a batch sampling has been submitted to an independent laboratory for ASF testing.
"We are still waiting for the results of these tests," Mekeni said.
Mekeni has also suspended the operations of its pork-based processing area, which it has cleansed and disinfected. A third-party company had also been engaged to do swabbing and testing of the facility.
"These measures are part of our commitment to support the government in its campaign to control the further spread of ASF that is threatening the hog industry," Mekeni said in its statement.
It also said it continues to echo the statements from the Department of Health (DOH) that "ASF does not pose any danger to human health."
The food corporation also committed to continue working with the Bureau of Animal Industry, National Meat Inspection Service, and the Food and Drug Administration, and other stakeholders for the implementation of a more comprehensive plan to mitigate the spread of ASF.
"In spite of the challenges, we still take pride in our products as they are borne out the hard work and commitment of our employees to produce only the highest quality products that we ourselves would bring home to our own families," Mekeni said.