February 15, 2011

Philippine pork offal imports set off rising complaints

Philippine pork offal imports have increased amid rising complaints as the Northern Luzon Hog Raisers Cooperative (NLHRC) said that the imports are a screen by meat importers to smuggle choice pork cuts into the nation.

NLHRC chief Rosendo So said that "The customs personnel inspect just one out of every 10 refrigerated container vans. What if the other nine refrigerated container vans contain choice pork cuts?"

Apart from the concern regarding the choice cuts, on the other hand there is the problem that the offal is becoming a health safety issue.

He added that most of the imported pork offal making its way to the Philippines is from the US and Canada where pork offal is regarded as waste products. So further said that "The trash of the United States and Canada is being dumped in the Philippines."

"Imported pork offal is being sold in the wet markets. The safety of the meat is compromised when it goes through defrosting and freezing and defrosting again. This is where possible contamination of the offal may take place and risk the health of the consuming public," So said. There is also the issue that hog raisers in the country are finding that the huge amount of pork offal imports has created more competition.