San Miguel ‘compliant’ with pork ban

CEBU, Philippines —  San Miguel Foods Inc. (SMFI) said it continues to comply with the Capitol’s order banning the sale of pork products from Luzon amid concerns it may be selling such products during the Sinulog festivities.

SMFI was first reported to have struck an “exclusive” deal with Sinulog Foundation Inc. as the lone food processing company allowed to sell along the Sinulog Grand Parade route this year.

A letter from SMFI to the SFI reportedly mentioned of a sponsorship worth P3 million with P2,750,000 in cash and P250,000 in kind.

According to a report from the Provincial Information Office, the concession pointed out of the merchandising and selling exclusively of Purefoods Hormel products like Tender Juicy, Purefoods Tocino, Purefoods Nuggets, and Star Corned Beef.

Consequently, the president of the Philippine Association of Meat Processors Inc., Felix Tiukinhoy Jr., wrote to SFI executive director Elmer “Jojo” Labella reminding the foundation that “entry ban on these pork-based products imposed by Cebu City and the Cebu provincial government remains in effect.”

But in its media statement yesterday, SMFI guaranteed that it remains compliant with the ban.

It stated that through its prepared and packaged food business, it has a wide portfolio of refrigerated and canned meats, and that it intends to showcase its Purefoods TJ All-Chicken Dog, and Purefoods TJ Hotdog made with chicken and beef, as well as Purefoods Chicken Tocino during the festival.

It added that the sponsorship by SMFI on the annual Sinulog is part of a San Miguel-wide corporate sponsorship that includes other brands such as San Miguel Beer and Ginebra San Miguel.

Its objective, it said, is to “contribute to the rich, vibrant, and colorful celebration of Cebuanos” that is famous all over the world.”

The supposed exclusive deal forged by SMFI with SFI was met by opposition from other competing food processors.

But Cebu City Mayor Edgardo Labella, speaking to reporters after an outcry from other food processing firms, said that all local producers may sell along the route as long as they comply with the requirements imposed by the city and other government agencies.

To recall, Governor Gwendolyn Garcia issued an executive order last year imposing a ban on pork products and co-mingled products from Luzon to prevent the entry of the African Swine Flu virus in the province. The ban is set to last until June 30, 2020. JMD (FREEMAN)