Potential impacts of Coronavirus

Australian Pork Limited is working with our producer members and other supply chain stakeholders to ensure our industry is prepared for the potential impacts of Coronavirus and to minimise risks of disruption to supply, operations and our workforce.

What is Coronavirus?

Coronavirus (COVID-19) is a viral disease, which can cause illness in humans and is spread through:

• Close contact with an infectious person
• Contact with droplets from an infected person’s cough or sneeze
• Touching objects or surfaces that have cough or sneeze droplets from an infected person, and then touching your mouth or face.

Can you get Coronavirus from meat?

Well-respected international agencies including the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA statement) and Australia’s Food Standards agency (FSANZ statement) have confirmed there is no evidence that coronavirus is transmitted in food.

What is the Australian pork industry doing?

The Australian pork industry is positioned strongly to respond to the challenges arising from COVID-19, given the existing importance of biosecurity, hygiene and food safety throughout our supply chains.

All facets of Australia’s meat industry operate to very stringent standards including HACCP, Good Manufacturing Practice, and Australian Standards etc., which are verified by state and federal food safety authorities. For example:

• Processing establishments are routinely washed down and sanitised, and undergo a variety of monitoring programs to ensure hygienic operations
• Workers are required to follow strict hygiene and personal health policies and practices and wear suitable Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) as relevant (e.g. hair nets, beard nets, gumboots, aprons, full length protective uniforms, gloves, etc.).
• Retail butchers are required to have in place detailed food safety plans to ensure hygienic operations.

Updates regarding COVID-19 can be found via the Federal Department of Health website.