FARM products manufacturer Vitarich Corp. said that it is implementing programs to ensure that its facilities will not be affected by avian influenza or bird flu amid the recent outbreak of the virus.
“At Vitarich, we are committed to making sure our farms and facilities remain avian influenza-free. We recognize there are fears that the disease might extend to chickens and potentially disrupt our local food supply,” Senior Vice-President Reynaldo D. Ortega said in a statement on Thursday.
“As such, Vitarich has further heightened the implementation of our standards and is coordinating closely with appropriate authorities and experts,” added Mr. Ortega, who is the general manager of the poultry, food and feed sales division.
In March, the Department of Agriculture suspended the movement of domestic and captured wild birds and poultry products as a precaution against the virus.
Vitarich said its farms are undergoing monitoring, testing, and enforcement of biosecurity standards regularly.
“These procedures guarantee well-sanitized and enclosed surroundings that prevent contamination and ensure a well-stocked inventory and continuous supply of fresh chickens for our country,” the company said.
“We take pride in the implementation of these regular stringent measures to ensure the highest freshness, cleanliness, safety, and quality of our products at all times,” it indeed.
Vitarich operates in three primary industry segments: feeds, foods, and farms.
The company sells its feed products to various distributors, dealers and end users nationwide. Its farm products are day-old chicks and pullets while its food products composed of chicken and dory fish are sold to hotels, restaurants, institutional clients, and supermarkets as well as to wet markets.
At the stock exchange, Vitarich shares remained unchanged at P0.63 apiece on Thursday. — Luisa Maria Jacinta C. Jocson