Public health and pork and pork products: the perspective of producers in the United States of America.

In recent years, food safety issues have received increased attention from industry groups and governmental agencies in the United States of America (USA) and throughout the world. Consumer assurance of the safety of pork is vital if the demand for pork produced in the USA is to continue. The industry is facilitating co-operative efforts throughout the pork production chain to address food safety. These efforts include residue prevention, pre-harvest control of potential pathogens, the implementation of hazard analysis and critical control point systems throughout the chain and education of food-service workers and consumers.