Spanish pork companies prioritise worker and food safety

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The Spanish pork industry has offered assurances that it will not compromise worker or food safety as it attempts to maintain production during the coronavirus situation.

A statement from trade body Inteporc outlined how companies are aware of the importance of their role during the state of alarm to guarantee supply to the population and that even though they are working at full capacity, this is under two conditions: ensuring the health of its workers and the products that reach the market.

It said that all companies have adopted strict biosafety protocols, which in addition to including all the hygiene and health measures recommended by the health authorities for the prevention and protection against coronavirus, include others such as the reinforcement of access methods for employees and suppliers or the continuous cleaning and disinfection of facilities, machinery and common areas.

Interporc also explained that to avoid the concentration of many workers in the facilities, businesses are expanding the number of shifts in the factories and also in the distribution, where the number of transports has been reinforced to guarantee the supply of products at the points of sale of all regions of Spain.

It said that as soon as the products that come to the market, the controls have been further increased, thanks to a European production model, whose regulations contemplate the highest demands regarding quality and food safety, and which is backed by a traceability system throughout the entire production, transformation and distribution process until reaching the point of sale.

The statement added: “To all this work is added the solidarity work that the pork meat companies are demonstrating, working with the most disadvantaged groups and with the professionals who in one way or another fight every day against COVID-19. In this sense, they are making important donations, both financial, for the purchase of sanitary equipment, and products such as: PPE, gloves, masks, etc; They are distributing products, such as Serrano ham, cooked ham, ribs, chorizo, and salami… among different health centers, food banks and NGOs; and they have launched their own solidarity initiatives such as: Food for Drivers or Food Trucks.”