Bird Flu & Facts: Poultry is Safe to Eat

 

People who enjoy the great taste and health benefits of eating poultry have no need to worry.  Poultry products purchased in the U.S. are absolutely safe to eat.  The first thing you can do to protect yourself and your family is to get the facts.

 

So what is Bird Flu?  Bird Flu, or ìbird flu,î comes in several different types that can be mild or severe.  The severe strain currently found in foreign countries, and causing health concerns, is H5N1 HPAI or ìAsian bird flu.î  Following are more facts.

 

FACT ONE:  You cannot get Bird Flu from properly cooked food.  There is almost no chance that any Bird Flu viruses would be present in raw foods.  Further, the U.S. Department of Agriculture confirms that the heat of normal cooking—to an internal temperature of 160 degrees F—kills the virus if any is present.

 

FACT TWO:  The U.S. does not import poultry from any of the countries where ìAsian bird fluî has been found.  The chicken and turkey you buy in your local supermarket comes from U.S. farms, except for a very small amount imported from Canada, which follows safety guidelines as strict and comprehensive as those in the U.S.

 

FACT THREE:  We do not have the ìAsian bird fluî in the U.S. now, and we have never had it.

 

FACT FOUR:  No special precautions need to be taken because of any fears about Bird Flu.  Just follow the usual handling and cooking instructions printed on every consumer package of fresh poultry.

 

The following chart provides the temperature to which your food is not only safe, but is the best quality:

—    Boneless breast: 160 degrees F

—    Bone-in chicken and turkey white meat: 170 degrees F

—    Chicken and turkey dark meat: 180 degrees F

—    Ground chicken and turkey: 165 degrees F

—    Eggs: 160 degrees F

 

To ensure the safe consumption and quality of poultry products, it is important to follow the following normal precautions:

—    Keep poultry products refrigerated or frozen until ready to cook.

 

—    Thaw poultry products in a refrigerator or microwave.

—    Keep raw meat and poultry separate from other foods.

—    Wash working surfaces (including cutting boards and countertops), utensils and hands thoroughly after touching raw meat or poultry.

—    Cook all poultry products thoroughly (use guideline above).

—    Keep hot foods hot.

—    Refrigerate or discard leftovers immediately.