Philippine on double alert for tainted pork following swine flu abroad

NMIS head Jane Bacayo said they are keeping watch over pork in cold storage from the US, as well as tainted meat that may be smuggled into supermarkets and markets.

Bacayo said they are on double alert, and asking assistance from local government units and the consuming public to look out for double dead meat.

He also advised the public not to eat pork that is not fully cooked, which includes staying away from grilled and raw pork.

He said that while there is no direct link yet between eating pork and catching swine flu, there is still a danger of the meat being handled improperly before it is cooked.

For his part, Presidential Anti-Smuggling Group (PASG) head Antonio Villar Jr. said they have coordinated with the Bureau of Food and Drugs (BFAD) and Bureau of Customs to watch ports.

Villar said the PASG will conduct its inspections outside the ports while the Bureau of Customs (BOC) inspects the meat while it is still inside the ports.

He urged the Bureau of Food and Drugs (BFAD) to send personnel to the ports also.