USDA confirms safe meat supply after dairy cow tests positive for Avian Influenza

May 27, 2024

By Farms.com

The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently announced that one dairy cow tested positive for avian influenza during routine testing. This cow was part of a group already condemned for other reasons, and its meat never entered the food supply chain.

The USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) conducts regular inspections to ensure meat safety. In this case, inspectors identified signs of illness in the cow and prevented its meat from being processed. This highlights the effectiveness of the USDA's food safety system.

While the test detected avian influenza particles, it doesn't distinguish between live virus and inactive fragments. The USDA emphasizes the safety of the meat supply and recommends consumers follow safe handling and cooking practices for meat.

Video: Sow Welfare and Group Housing Systems - Dr. Laya Alves

In this episode of The Swine it Podcast Show Canada, Dr. Laya Alves from the University of São Paulo, in Brazil, discusses how animal welfare regulations are evolving globally and their impact on pig production systems. She explains challenges in group housing, pain management, and euthanasia decisions, while highlighting the role of training and management in improving outcomes and economic sustainability. Listen now on all major platforms!

"Translating welfare requirements into daily farm routines without compromising economic sustainability remains one of the biggest challenges faced by producers globally today."

Meet the guest: Dr. Laya Alves / laya-kannan is a Postdoctoral Researcher at the University of São Paulo, Brazil, focusing on animal welfare in pig production, including pain management, euthanasia, and economic decision making. Her work integrates welfare science with practical farm management and sustainability. She collaborates globally to develop applied tools for producers.