Health officials have expanded the list of items being tested for bird flu following an outbreak among dairy cows. Cottage cheese, sour cream, and baby formula are now included in the testing regimen.
Since late March, thirty-six cattle herds across nine states have tested positive for the H5N1 virus, with one person in Texas also testing positive. Federal authorities initiated testing of related food products after traces of the virus were discovered in pasteurized milk.
During a news conference on Wednesday, representatives from the FDA, CDC, and USDA reassured the public about the safety of the commercial food supply. However, they emphasized the importance of avoiding unpasteurized milk.
The FDA stated in a news release on Wednesday that they will continue to monitor scientific research on the effectiveness of pasteurization against HPAI (Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza) in bovine milk. Surveillance of milk production, processing, and pasteurization will also be ongoing to ensure milk safety.
What is bird flu?
Bird flu, or avian influenza, is a type of flu virus commonly found in waterfowl, turkeys, and other birds. While it primarily affects birds, there is concern about it evolving to become easily transmissible between humans. This possibility has not yet materialized, according to experts.
Sour cream and cottage cheese also tested positive for bird flu particles
The FDA reported testing 297 commercial samples of milk products, including fluid milk, cottage cheese, and sour cream, all of which showed evidence of the virus. However, the virus had been eliminated by pasteurization, posing no health risk, according to Dr. Donald A. Prater, the FDA’s acting director of the Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition.
Infant and toddler formula found free of viral particles
The FDA also tested infant and toddler formula and found no viral particles. To ensure the safety of milk-derived products for infants, the FDA tested samples of retail powdered infant formula and powdered milk marketed as toddler formula.
FDA also testing ground beef, confident in its safety
Federal officials have announced testing of ground beef from states experiencing bird flu outbreaks in dairy cows. While there have been no reported cases of bird flu virus in ground beef, samples will undergo analysis to detect any viral particles, according to the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
Additionally, muscle samples from dairy cattle at slaughter facilities will be collected and tested by the Food Safety and Inspection Service. Further testing for live virus will be conducted on positive muscle sample tests, along with cooking studies to determine effective temperatures for killing the virus.
Food safety tips: avoid unpasteurized products, undercooked meat, and fish
Experts advise avoiding unpasteurized milk and cheese made from unpasteurized milk, as well as undercooked eggs, poultry, and meat. Checking recommended food temperatures to ensure proper cooking is also recommended by the Department of Health and Human Services.
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