PAMPI: Local canned meat safe to consume

CEBU, Philippines — The Philippine Association of Meat Processors Inc. (PAMPI) has assured the consumers that locally produced processed meat products such as canned goods and hotdogs do not contain raw materials from countries infected by the African Swine Flu.

PAMPI president Felix Tiukinhoy, Jr. urged the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to be cautious and specific in its pronouncements because it is causing confusion and uncertainty among consumers.

 Tiukinhoy, who is also the president of Virginia Foods Inc., issued the assurance following a nationwide campaign of the FDA to recall processed meat products purportedly imported from ASF-infected countries.

Most of the ASF-infected countries do not export meat products to the Philippines, he said.

“Recall orders should be product specific, identifying the brands and countries of origin, instead of general statements that are not helpful to consumers but are prejudicial to local manufacturers,” Tiukinhoy said.

He noted that locally produced meat products are displayed in supermarkets and groceries along with imported products which could lead to confusion among consumers.

Tiukinhoy indicated that he may ask PAMPI members to work out a system with supermarket operators to institutionalize the segregation of local processed meats from imported items.

PAMPI, a national organization of processed meat manufacturers, has been in the forefront of a campaign to ensure food security, food safety, consumer welfare and price stability. — FPL (FREEMAN)