The USDA is taking proactive measures to ensure the safety of the beef supply after an outbreak of avian flu in dairy cows. While the agency believes that the meat is safe, it is conducting tests on ground beef sold at retail in states where H5N1 virus has been detected. Specifically, the USDA is testing ground beef samples from Idaho, Kansas, Michigan, New Mexico and Texas for the presence of bird flu.
The Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) can be transmitted by wild birds to domestic poultry and other animals. Using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests, the USDA is checking for any signs of this virus in ground beef samples. This study is one of three that the agency is conducting to ensure beef safety following the recent H5N1 outbreak in dairy cows.
In addition to testing ground beef, the USDA is also testing muscles from 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.
Furthermore, 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.
While there have been concerns about bird flu affecting milk supply, according to FDA’s findings last week, commercial milk samples tested positive for bird flu fragments did not pose a risk to human health as long as they were pasteurized before consumption. Both agencies credit pasteurization and proper handling of milk from sick cows for keeping our milk supply safe