ULSTER Pork and Bacon Forum Chief Executive Keith Smyton has told Farming Life that his organisation has embarked on a campaign to clear up, once and for all, the issue of those food brands which contain only home produced pork and bacon.
"We have received numerous enquiries from consumers questioning the origin of the pigmeat used in certain brands of pork and bacon," he added.
"So, it's important that this issue is now dealt with head on, so as to clear up any doubts shoppers may h
ave regarding this matter. Some brands which are prominent on-shelf throughout Northern Ireland, which consumers might think are Northern Irish, are anything but. In reality these products could contain pigmeat from a number of countries."
He added: "Consumer loyalty towards Ulster pork and bacon products is extremely high. However, consumers must know exactly what they are buying when they go into their local shop or supermarket."
The Forum's chief executive went on to confirm that all own-label fresh pork products sold in Tesco, Sainsbury's and ASDA contain locally produced pigmeat only.
"The same holds for the Cookstown brand," he further explained.
"The Forum and the pig industry have been working with these organisations to ensure their commitment to Ulster pork.
"These are exciting times for the pig industry in Northern Ireland. A case in point is the recent acquisition of the Stevenson's processing factory in Cullybackey by Dunbia.
"Ulster pork and bacon continues to represent excellent value for money. Our aim is to ensure that local consumers know exactly what to look for when they are out shopping."
The Forum's new marketing campaign, which is themed: 'Pick Pork – but make sure it's from Northern Ireland', will be featured in retail outlets Province-wide over the coming weeks.
Mr Smyton concluded: "We will also be targeting butchers' shops. These are key suppliers of pork and bacon products. So, again, it's vitally important that shoppers know exactly what they are buying when they walk into any of these premises."
