In South Korea, Japan and China, retailers reported sales of pork remained steady over the weekend. --PHOTO: ST
SEOUL - AUTHORITIES in Asia moved quickly to head off a potential consumer backlash against pork products from the spread of swine flu, a misnomer that triggered falls in soybeans and pork product company shares on Monday.
Despite the name, the new strain that has killed over 100 in Mexico is not infecting pigs and has never been seen in pigs, but perceptions of a link could discourage consumer purchases of pork.
China bans pork imports from Mexico, parts of US
BEIJING - CHINA has banned hog and pork product imports from Mexico and parts of the United States with immediate effect, the government said in a statement posted on official websites on Monday.
The ban was aimed at preventing the outbreak of swine flu from entering China, the agriculture ministry and the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine said in joint statement.
As the governments of China and Russia at the weekend rushing to impose bans on some imports, concerns were on the rise.
But across South Korea, Japan and China on Monday, retailers reported sales of pork remained steady over the weekend with consumers saying they are more worried for now about the advent of a global pandemic than getting sick by eating ham.
'I don't think I'll avoid eating pork,' said Borirak Charoenkijtavee, a Thai bank employee, saying he felt no reason to panic now because swine flu still seemed a world away.
Health authorities in Asia have spread word quickly that the virus that has killed more than 100 people in Mexico is not spread from exposure to pigs or pork products.
They hope people in the region will take a level-headed approach to the threat posed by the virus after having battled Sars and persistent avian influenza outbreaks.
'People should have no qualms about going ahead and eating pork. Swine flu is not spread through food. In any case, the swine flu virus is inactivated as soon as the meat reaches 70 Celsius during cooking,' said Australian Veterinary Association President Dr Mark Lawrie.
While consumers have not yet demonstrated they will stay away from pork, some governments have banned imports.
In Beijing, Seoul and other parts of North Asia, which accounts for one-sixth of the global economy, reports of the outbreak had customers hesitating at meat counters. -- REUTERS
