![In an effort to contain the recent outbreak of bird flu, the USDA has implemented new rules for lactating dairy cows.](https://san.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/CLEAN-GettyImagesBeefandBirdFlu_Getty-Images_featuredImage_Mon-Apr-29-2024.jpg?w=1920)
USDA assures public retail meat is safe, still plans to test beef samples
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AS THE USDA LOOKS TO FURTHER CRACK DOWN ON A BIRD FLU OUTBREAK
BY ZEROING IN ON BEEF SAFETY.
IN RESPONSE TO THE CRISIS, THE USDA BEGAN TESTING OF LACTATING DAIRY COWS FOR BIRD FLU BEFORE THEY CAN BE SHIPPED ACROSS STATE LINES.
BUT WHAT ABOUT THE BEEF?
THE AGENCY ANNOUNCED PLANS TO ANALYZE BEEF SAMPLES USING PCR TESTS.
IT WILL ALSO EXAMINE HOW DIFFERENT COOKING TEMPERATURES AFFECT THE VIRUS IN GROUND BEEF.
LAST WEEK, BIRD FLU WAS DETECTED IN A LUNG TISSUE SAMPLE OF AN ASYMPTOMATIC DAIRY COW THAT DID NOT MAKE ITS WAY INTO THE FOOD SUPPLY.
THE MOVE COMES AS OTHER COUNTRIES HAVE TAKEN PRECAUTIONS WITH BEEF.
COLOMBIA HAS MOVED TO RESTRICT IMPORTS OF BEEF AND BEEF PRODUCTS FROM STATES WITH CONFIRMED CASES OF BIRD FLU IN DAIRY COWS.
STILL, THE USDA SAYS THE MEAT SUPPLY IS SAFE.
THEIR LATEST EFFORTS INVOLVE COLLECTING GROUND BEEF SAMPLES FROM AFFECTED STATES FOR TESTING. THERE HAVE BEEN CASES IN AT LEAST 9 STATES AT THIS TIME BUT HAS YET TO SET A START DATE FOR GROUND BEEF TESTING.
IF VIRAL PARTICLES ARE DISCOVERED, THE AGENCY SAYS IT’LL MAKE MOVES TO ADDRESS IT “PROMPTLY.”