Food authorities have issued an urgent alert to Australian consumers about cooked chicken and eggs, allaying concerns about any potential bird flu contamination. It comes five days after Coles supermarket announced that it was imposing purchase limits on eggs after bird flu was detected at a fifth Victorian poultry farm. The retail giant has introduced a temporary limit of two egg cartons per customer in all stores, except for customers in Western Australia.
Now, Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) has issued a statement to calm fears about bird flu contamination in chicken and egg products. Journalism for the curious Australian across politics, business, culture and opinion. “Avian influenza (bird flu) is not a food safety concern and it is safe to eat properly handled and cooked chicken meat, eggs and egg products,” it said in a new statement.
“There is no evidence to show the virus can be transmitted to people through properly prepared food.” FSANZ CEO Dr Sandra Cuthbert went on to say that Australia’s biosecurity and food regulation systems ensure the safety of the food supply. “Farms affected by bird flu have been quarantined and the movement of animals and products restricted,” Dr Cuthbert said.
“Poultry flocks affected by bird flu are being destroyed as part of the emergency response to contain the disease as it is highly contagious in poultry. This approach is to restrict the spread of the disease between birds, not to manage food safety. “F.
