Despite assurances from the World Health Organization that swine flue cannot infect meat, Dubai has followed in Abu Dhabi’s footsteps by banning imports of pork products across the emirate, Dubai Municipality confirmed today.
Speaking exclusively to Caterer Middle East, Dubai Municipality Food Control Department director Khalid Mohammed Sharif explained: “There’s a ban on importing [pork products] but the sale of pork is not banned, so what’s already on the market can be sold.”
Following the news last week that Abu Dhabi had implemented a blanket ban on the import and sales of pork products (see http://v2.test.hoteliermiddleeast.com//article/viewArticle/4062), Sharif said the ban, passed down from the Ministry, was being implemented differently in different regions.
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“In Dubai it’s different to other emirates, such as Abu Dhabi [where they have implemented an immediate ban on pork sales as well]; this is simply the way Dubai is handling it,” he explained.
Sharif added that the measure was “just precautionary”.
“It doesn’t spread through eating the meat — there is no evidence that it spreads in this way,” he emphasised.
“When there was the outbreak of bird flu, we had the same thing with regards to poultry imports to the country; it’s simply a precaution.”
Despite assurances that the ban would be lifted after “the storm had passed”, Sharif conceded that the measure could significantly impact the hospitality industry.
“There’s a huge demand [for pork] in the hotel sector; there, I think it will definitely affect people,” he said.
The ban will also come as bad news for pork suppliers, as Pedro de Camargo Neto, president of Brazilian pork exporters association ABIPECS, pointed out.
“Any trade restrictions would be inconsistent with the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE),” he insisted.
“According to this body, there has been no infection in animals confirmed in the zones where cases of human infection have been detected.
“Furthermore, the United Nations' Food and Agriculture Organization says there is no evidence the influenza strain has entered the human population directly from pigs.
“Therefore, it is not necessary to introduce specific measures for international trade in swine or their products, nor are consumers of pork products at risk of infection.”
De Camargo Neto added that although Brazilian pork product exporters were being “cautious”, there appeared to be no real issue with the disease in Brazil.
“The Brazilian Health Ministry is monitoring two suspects cases, but there are no confirmed cases among Brazilians yet,” he said
“Regarding pigs, as everybody knows, there are no animals infected in Mexico, Brazil or other countries,” he continued.
“Swine are not infected and are not the vector of the disease. There is not one pig identified in Mexico [as infected with the strain]. Pork is safe to eat and direct contact with pigs isn't the source of the hybrid influenza.”
Emily Mackintosh, general manager — communication for Australian Pork Limited, was similarly emphatic about the safety of pork products.
“The WHO is correct in its ruling that there is absolutely no way you can contract the disease through consuming pork and pork related products,” she asserted.
“The countries that have banned imports of pork and pork products have no foundation to do so. All that is doing is adding further unsubstantiated rumour and innuendo to the situation.
“It’s too early to say what impact this will have on sales of pork, but no doubt there will be some impact through people being misinformed,” she continued.
“This is in fact a tragic situation for all pork producers worldwide that are in fact suffering from name association of a flu virus.”
WHAT THE CHEFS ARE SAYING:
Uwe Micheel, director of kitchens, Radisson Blu Hotel, Dubai Deira Creek
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