An Australian man set off a food poisoning scare when he called a radio station to report that his pork chops glowed in the dark. Health officials say the glow isn't dangerous - and that it's caused by a harmless bacteria known as pseudomonas fluorescens. They say the bacteria usually occurs when meat is starting to go bad.

This type of bacteria is naturally present in meat and fish but it multiplies quickly if food is not stored at the correct temperature. Health officials receive an average of two telephone calls a month about glowing meat, with consumers generally afraid that the meat is radioactive or has been irradiated.

Consumer studies indicate pork is a growing industry in Australia. Data shows pork is the fastest growing meat on Australian plates.