Food scientist busts three common pork myths
One of the main reasons why pork isn’t as popular as its meaty counterparts is the variety of local myths surrounding this red meat.
Despite pork often being more affordable than beef or even chicken, the average South African eats only 3.8 kgs of pork compared to 35.1 kgs of chicken and 12 kgs of beef every year, according to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). One of the main reasons why pork isn’t as popular as its meaty counterparts is the variety of local myths surrounding this red meat. Eskort food scientist debunks three common myths believed in SA:
Myth 1: Pork is a fatty, unhealthy meat
Lean pork cuts such as tenderloin (fillet), loin chops, loin roast, sirloin roast, and rib chops have a similar calorie composition to chicken breasts and lean beef. In some cases, pork is even less fatty than chicken breasts. For each 100 gram serving, chicken breasts contain 172 kilocalories (kcals) and 9.25 grams of fat compared to 154 kcals and 4.33g of fat in pork tenderloin. Lean pork cuts are high in protein and a nutrient-dense meat that will leave you feeling fuller for longer. It is an important source of B vitamins which is crucial for cell functions and your nervous system. Pork also contains heme iron which is a type of iron that is easily absorbed by the body.
Myth 2: Viennas are made from offal and other offcuts
Have you been told that viennas are made from offcuts such as feet, lips and noses from the pig carcass? Wrong! Viennas are made from the trimmings of primal cuts when the meat is deboned and portioned into retail cuts. Instead of letting this meat go to waste, it is used to make viennas. This meat and other ingredients are then finely ground up, seasoned, filled into casings and cooked. They are then left to cool, casings are removed and the viennas are ready to eat.
Myth 3: If you pour a fizzy drink on pork meat, worms will crawl out
People tend to believe that pigs are dirty animals. However, thanks to strict legislation on how pigs should be kept and what they should be fed, they are, if raised in healthy conditions, safe to eat and should not harbor any harmful parasites or diseases. Don’t believe it? Go ahead and pour a fizzy drink over pork – all it will do is tenderise it.
