The USDA is taking precautions to ensure the safety of beef supply after an outbreak of avian flu in dairy cows. Despite the agency’s belief that the meat supply is safe, it is sampling ground beef in the states where the H5N1 virus has been detected.
The Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza, also known as bird or avian flu, can be transmitted by wild birds to domestic poultry and other animals. This is why the USDA is conducting three studies to ensure beef safety in light of the recent H5N1 outbreak in dairy cows.
Using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests, the USDA is checking ground beef samples for the presence of the virus. In addition to testing ground beef, the agency is also testing the muscles of dairy cows that were culled for disease at slaughter facilities it inspects. Food Safety and Inspection Service veterinarians are present at all federal livestock slaughter facilities to inspect animals before and after slaughter to ensure safety.
To further ensure consumer safety, the USDA will conduct a beef cooking study to evaluate how different cooking temperatures affect virus reduction. Consumers are reminded to properly handle raw meats and cook them to a safe internal temperature to kill any bacteria or viruses present.
The results of these studies will be shared with the public once available. These precautionary measures follow the FDA’s findings last week that milk supply remains safe despite some commercial milk samples testing positive for bird flu fragments. Both agencies credit pasteurization and proper handling of milk from sick cows for keeping U.S milk supply safe
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