Written question asked by Maria Eagle (Labour) on Wednesday, 24 June 2015, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 29 June 2015 (named day). It was answered by George Eustice (Conservative) on Monday, 29 June 2015 on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Pigmeat: MRSA

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps her Department has taken to investigate the implications for human health of the appearance of antibiotic resistant strains of MRSA in pig meat.

Answer: The Advisory Committee on the Microbiological Safety of Food (ACMSF) sub-group on antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has been considering an assessment of the risk to consumers from MRSA in the food chain. Based on current evidence, the risk of contracting MRSA through consumption of foodstuffs is considered to be very low. This will be kept under review. Food Standards Agency food hygiene advice remains the same, i.e. that foodstuffs should be stored appropriately, handled hygienically and meat should be cooked thoroughly.

Secondary information