The positive cases of coronavirus in over 80 workers at the Sioux Falls Smithfield Foods Processing plant this week should have no effect on the food that consumers eat. That’s according to SDSU Extension Veterinarian Dr. Russ Daly who says neither pork or any food is effected by COVID 19.
He says the pork industry has been dealing with viruses for several years and there’s never been any evidence of coronaviruses effecting foods eaten by humans.
Daly says the main concern with coronavirus is how it impacts people and keeping pork producers, food service workers and processors healthy is paramount.
Daly says pork producers need to have some type of backup plan in place in case they or one of their workers get sick so they’re operation can keep functioning.
