Press Release from Manchester City Council

25th April 2001

MANCHESTER CITY COUNCIL PRESS OFFICE
Rooms 317 / 318
Town Hall
Albert Square
Manchester M60 2LA

Tel 0161 234 3534/3179

Statement re: Chinese restaurants

Michael S Ankers, Head of Environmental Health, Manchester City Council said: "It is important to recognise that foot and mouth is not a public health issue - it is all about animal health and economic effects. Even if contaminated meat were to be consumed, with or without cooking, any risk to health from the foot and mouth virus would be virtually nil - much below the risks normally associated with eating any meal made with a meat-based product.

It has been suggested in the press that illegally imported meat from China may be a possible cause of the foot and mouth epidemic, although this has not been proven.

It is against EU and UK law to bring in food of animal origin from other countries outside the Union unless it is produced at an 'approved establishment' and has then required documentation. There are no such 'approved establishments' in China. Any meat or meat product (apart from rabbit) therefore was illlegally brought into the Union. However, foods brought first into any other country of the EU can be deemed to be satisfactory and UK inspectors have no power to carry out further inspection unless there is an explicit risk to health.

Upon being advised that there was evidence of illegally imported meat on sale in Manchester, Environmental Health Officers visited every Chinese supermarket and wholesaler. Suspect canned or dried meat was found and the manager of each premises agreed immediately to withdraw the goods from sale. The investigation continues into the possible route(s) of entry to the UK.

Regular restaurant inspections by environmental health staff maintains high standards of food safety and there is no reason for people to be concerned about dining out in any restaurants in Manchester whether they be Chinese or otherwise."