As the U.S. Department of Agriculture issued a nationwide order including requiring lactating dairy cows to test negative for highly pathogenic avian influenza before interstate transport, the Meat Institute is saying that properly prepared beef remains safe to eat and is calling for USDA and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to provide worker safety guidance specific to beef processors to ensure workers are protected from infection.
“USDA and CDC are working overtime to understand the spread of the virus and to determine its effects on the health of people and animals,” said Julie Anna Potts, president and CEO of the Meat Institute. “We encourage USDA and CDC to conduct additional testing and monitoring to continue to ensure properly prepared beef remains safe to eat.”