2023-07-14 01:08:54
The hepatitis E virus might be present in pig farms in Quebec and in certain foods containing pork liver.
This is revealed by a new study carried out by researchers at Laval University.
Nearly a third of the liver pâtés and country pâtés tested contained traces of the virus.
After 83 pâtés and 79 pig livers tested, the team of researchers from Laval University can affirm that the presence of the RNA of the hepatitis E virus does indeed appear in these products.
“It is a virus that can be transmitted between meat and humans. For weaker people, it can have significant risks, ”explained Julie Jean, professor in the department of food sciences at Laval University.
Indeed, 29% of pâtés and 4% of livers tested positive, results that did not surprise the researchers.
“We suspected that the virus was circulating at the level of these animals, at the level of the pig which is an intermediary,” said Ms. Jean.
But the researcher reiterates that the objective of this analysis was not to worry the population, but rather to call for caution, particularly with regard to the consumption of these foods which are not recommended for pregnant women.
Other studies on preparation and cooking processes will be carried out.
On the side of pig farmers and food suppliers, they say they are ready to adapt if necessary.
“Of course our priority is food safety. If there are risks, we will make the changes,” said Dr. Sylvain Fournaisse, Vice-President Food Safety & Technical Services at Olymel.
“Quebec producers have always had a leadership role in food safety. We will make sure to support our producers,” said Louis-Philippe Roy, president of the Éleveurs de porcs du Québec.
Watch the full report in the video above.
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