DILIMAN, Quezon City – To show that pork, and other meat products are safe for public consumption, the Department of Agriculture (DA) conducted a boodle fight featuring various pork-based dishes.

This is despite positive results of African Swine Fever (ASF) in the country, following the reported death cases of pigs in Luzon.

Secretaries William Dar of DA, and Francisco Duque of the Department of Health, led the activity, together with different hog industry stakeholders.

Dar announced that blood samples of infected hogs in Rizal and Bulacan are ASF positive based on the result of the confirmatory Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test done in the United Kingdom.

However, the Agriculture Secretary emphasized that quarantine and food safety measures are being observed all over the country. Thus, local pork products, with appropriate National Meat Inspection Service seal and health certificate, are safe to eat.

Meanwhile, Duque added that pork products should be cooked properly to avoid possible human infection.

Officials and representatives of DA bureaus and attached agencies also participated in the boodle fight held in the Bureau of Soils and Water Management Compound in this city.