South African consumers can remain confident that red meat is safe to eat during the current foot‑and‑mouth disease (FMD) outbreaks, according to veterinary and regulatory experts.
Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) primarily affects cloven-hoofed animals such as cattle, sheep, and pigs, but it does not infect humans.
Strict veterinary inspections and regulated slaughter practices ensure that only healthy animals enter the food supply chain.
According to the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH), FMD is an animal health issue rather than a public-health or food-safety risk. Human infections are extremely rare, and the virus is not transmitted through properly handled or thoroughly cooked meat.
Why Meat Remains Safe
- FMD is not a zoonotic disease. Dr Frikkie Maré of the Red Meat Producers Organisation confirms that the virus does not transmit to people, even when consuming meat from previously infected areas.
- Sick animals are not slaughtered. Farmers must submit health declarations confirming animals are disease‑free and that all medication withdrawal periods were followed. This prevents compromised animals from entering abattoirs. This is a general safety protocol that forms part of the slaughtering process, whether there is a disease outbreak or not.
- Biosecurity is strictly enforced. Movement controls, quarantine protocols, and regulated disposal of animal products reduce the risk of spreading FMD between herds.
Safe Meat Handling Guidelines
The Role of Vaccination
- Rapid vaccine rollout is underway. SAHPRA has authorised the controlled importation of FMD vaccines to ensure veterinarians and farmers can respond quickly to outbreaks.
- Vaccines undergo rigorous evaluation. Each batch is assessed for safety, efficacy, and suitability for local FMD strains before approval.
- Distribution Commitment: The government has committed to accelerating vaccine distribution to protect livestock, safeguard food security, and stabilise the red meat value chain.
Why Containment Matters
Uncontrolled FMD outbreaks can trigger movement restrictions, trade bans, and significant economic losses for farmers.
In many instances, the virus spreads through human rather than animal movement. Contaminated animal material can be carried and spread by vehicles and clothing that come into contact with it. It is critical to the food security and wellness of the agricultural economy to enforce these protocols.
Strong partnerships between industry, regulators, and government remain essential to containing the virus and protecting South Africa’s livestock sector.
