A canned pork luncheon meat of an unidentified brand in Sarawak was found infected with the African Swine Fever (ASF) virus.

That has prompted the Malaysian state to ban all pork products from China.

Ban on all pork products from China

The canned luncheon meat was one of the 17 canned pork luncheon meat imported from China.

According to The Star, the Department of Veterinary Services Sarawak (DVSS) confirmed the detection during a laboratory test on Oct. 25, 2019.

This led to a complete ban on pork products from countries that are not cleared of this virus, including China, to ensure that Sarawak is free from ASF.

The related agencies will also be conducting checks at all supermarkets.

Any affected products will be removed and ongoing shipments will be put on hold.

Previously, canned luncheon meat from Hong Kong was also identified to be infected by the ASF virus:

Raw pork only imported from ASF-free countries while processed products will be heat-treated

In response to Mothership's queries, the Singapore Food Agency said that the agency adopts a "science-based" risk assessment and management approach to food safety.

Sources of livestock, meat and eggs, and their products have to be accredited before they are allowed to export to Singapore.

Imported food from accredited sources will still undergo stringent routine surveillance, inspections and sampling programme.

In particular, Singapore only export raw pork from ASF-free countries. This is because infected raw pork meat can transmit the virus.

SFA has suspended all imports of raw pork and pork products from areas affected.

ASF virus can be inactivated with sufficient heat treatment.

Hence, processed pork products, from approved establishments in affected areas, will be heat-treated before its import to Singapore.

SFA will continue to monitor ASF outbreaks across the globe.

Top photo via Alibaba (illustrative purpose)

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