CHICAGO– On Monday, USDA said it is collecting samples of ground beef at retail stores for testing, in states where outbreaks of bird flu have happened in dairy cows.
Federal officials remain confident that the meat supply is safe and the overall public health risk is low. In a statement sent to media on Monday, USDA said they are “confident that the meat supply is safe. USDA has a rigorous meat inspection process” and “multiple safeguards in place to protect consumers. We recommend consumers properly handle raw meats and cook to a safe internal temperature.”
The move comes as one country, Colombia, placed restrictions last week on beef and beef products from U.S. states where bird flu has been found in dairy cows.