DILG to LGUs: Allow processed meat products subject to certain conditions

Following the implementation of measures to contain the spread of African swine fever (ASF), the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has directed local government units (LGUs) to allow the distribution and sale of processed meat products that contain pork as ingredient in all provinces subject to certain conditions.

“Since the government has been acting aggressively and effectively to address the ASF outbreak, we are urging all LGUs to lift the ban on processed meat products containing pork for as long as the products meet certain conditions imposed

by the Department of Agriculture (DA),” DILG Secretary Eduardo M. Año said.

In a memorandum circular to governors, city and municipal mayors, and punong barangays, Año said all LGUs should strictly adhere to specific guidelines on the movement, distribution, and sale of processed meat products “in order to protect the consumers as well as the stakeholders in the meat industry from any disruption in the flow of trade and commerce across the country.”

The same memo circular also said for processed meat products that do not have pork as raw material such as corned beef, beef hotdogs, chicken nuggets, chicken hotdogs, and similar items, these should be allowed unrestricted movement and distribution in all provinces.

“Upon demand by LGU quarantine officials, the Certificate of Product Registration of processed meat products issued by the Food and Drug Administration to the manufacturers may be shown to LGUs. This should suffice to allow movement and distribution to all provinces,” Año said.

On the other hand, processed meat products that contain pork as an ingredient, either partially or fully, should also be allowed to be distributed and sold to all provinces subject to conditions imposed by the DA. PR