April 10, 2006

Canadian company touts pork rich in omega-3

A Canadian company, Prairie Orchard Farms, is selling processed pork that it says is rich in omega-3 fatty acids.

Found naturally in some fish and nuts, Omega-3 compounds are polyunsaturated fatty acids that is believed to reduce the risk of heart disease in people.

Prairie Orchard Farms markets pork roasts, ribs, chops and bacon from hogs raised on omega-3 diets.

The company hunted around for a suitable hog feed for six years before it started selling the product in 2004. In 2005, its meat was certified to contain a minimum 0.3 grammes of omega-3 per 100 grammes by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.

Prairie Orchard sells about 100 tonnes of its pork cuts, sausage and bacon monthly to three Canadian provinces and hopes to expand its market to the rest of the country as well as Japan, China and the United States.

Prairie Orchard Farms buys hogs that are fed flax that naturally contains omega-3 fatty acids, and a secret combination of vitamins and minerals. Higher production costs gave the pork a premium 25 percent above conventional pork prices, Hoffman said.

Although intakes up to certain amounts of omega-3 may provide health benefits, excessive amounts could suppress immune systems, slow blood clotting and increase the risk of stroke, according to the Canadian Medical Institute.

US scientists announced recently they had genetically engineered pigs to produce omega-3s but the market estimated that putting such meats on the shelf of supermarket stores would take years, if ever.