USA – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced that scientists from the Agricultural Research Service (ARS) have documented the complete absence of Trichinella infection in the U.S. commercial pork supply.

This parasite, once a considerable food safety concern, has been effectively eradicated from pigs raised under the U.S. Pork Quality Assurance Plus (PQA+) program.

The findings are the result of a comprehensive national survey conducted by ARS in collaboration with the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS).

Over a period of 54 months, 3.2 million pigs from 12 processing locations across the country were tested. The results revealed no evidence of Trichinella infection, providing a 95% confidence level that the prevalence of the parasite is less than one in a million pigs.

A negligible risk

The absence of Trichinella in U.S. pork is consistent with international food safety guidelines, which now consider the risk of this parasite in the nation’s pork supply to be negligible.

The United States does not require post-slaughter testing for Trichinella, relying instead on modern production systems that minimize the risk of exposure. However, until this study, the absence of Trichinella had not been confirmed through national testing.

ARS researchers initiated this study to determine whether the PQA+ program, which includes specific protocols to prevent Trichinella exposure, is effective in ensuring the parasite-free status of U.S. pork.

The study’s findings are expected to reinforce the safety of American pork, particularly in the export market, where food safety concerns remain a priority.

PQA+ program

The PQA+ program, developed by the U.S. pork industry, is an education and certification initiative aimed at helping pig farmers improve production practices. The program emphasizes food safety, animal well-being, environmental stewardship, worker safety, and public health.

Many of its guidelines for mitigating Trichinella risk are based on research conducted by ARS scientists.

Key practices within the PQA+ program include maintaining strict feed biosecurity, preventing contact with wildlife, avoiding the feeding of raw animal-origin waste to swine, and ensuring proper disposal of swine carcasses.

Additionally, detailed records of animal movements to and from PQA+ production sites are required. These measures have been critical in achieving the program’s goals of reducing the risk of Trichinella exposure.

Implications for food safety

The success of the PQA+ program in eliminating Trichinella from the commercial pork supply has broad implications for food safety. Dr. Benjamin Rosenthal, research leader at the ARS Animal Parasitic Disease Laboratory, noted that the data obtained from the study could be instrumental in future food safety decisions, particularly in hazard analysis.

The PQA+ guidelines align with the controlled management practices recommended by the World Organization for Animal Health and the International Commission on Trichinellosis.

The survey, which involved 11 U.S. pork processing companies across 12 states, highlights the effectiveness of the program and the commitment of more than 63,000 U.S. pork producers who are currently certified under PQA+.

The research, featured in the latest issue of Food and Waterborne Parasitology, received funding from multiple USDA agencies, including the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service and the Agricultural Research Service, as well as from the U.S. National Pork Producers Council.

The published findings are expected to serve as a valuable resource for ongoing food safety efforts, ensuring that U.S. pork remains a trusted and safe choice for consumers both domestically and internationally.

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