Food Safety And Animal Health                        ...

Food Safety And Animal Health                                          

Poultry Industry Message “It’s Not In Your Food” On New Web Site

The National Chicken Council (NCC), the National Turkey Federation (NTF), and the Egg Safety Center (ESC) have launched a new Web site aimed at calming concerns consumers may have over avian influenza. The site, www.avianinfluenzainfo.com, emphasizes that the virus is not a food issue, and there have been no cases in the United States.

While “It’s Not In Your Food” is the main message of the site, it’s also a source for information on what the industry is doing to prevent the disease appearing in the U.S. flock. The site reminds consumers that the United States does not import poultry from areas affected by avian influenza and, with Thanksgiving just around the corner, doesn’t import turkeys at all.

Information is given in brief articles, a question-and-answer format, and in news releases.  Some information is also given in Spanish.  Links are also provided to sources of official information, such as the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Because of the nature of the disease and its inevitable spread by wild migratory birds, avian influenza will continue to have major long-term effects on both the poultry and red meat industries, the extent of which is yet to be determined. It is already estimated that more than 50 percent of global poultry trade has been affected, and although there is no danger from properly handled and cooked food, consumers are likely to turn to other protein sources. Further restrictions on poultry imports and exports, however, may result in a glut of cheap poultry meat in some markets or possibly a decline in production as flocks are culled.

Food Safety And Animal Health                                          

Poultry Industry Message “It’s Not In Your Food” On New Web Site

The National Chicken Council (NCC), the National Turkey Federation (NTF), and the Egg Safety Center (ESC) have launched a new Web site aimed at calming concerns consumers may have over avian influenza. The site, www.avianinfluenzainfo.com, emphasizes that the virus is not a food issue, and there have been no cases in the United States.

While “It’s Not In Your Food” is the main message of the site, it’s also a source for information on what the industry is doing to prevent the disease appearing in the U.S. flock. The site reminds consumers that the United States does not import poultry from areas affected by avian influenza and, with Thanksgiving just around the corner, doesn’t import turkeys at all.

Information is given in brief articles, a question-and-answer format, and in news releases.  Some information is also given in Spanish.  Links are also provided to sources of official information, such as the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Because of the nature of the disease and its inevitable spread by wild migratory birds, avian influenza will continue to have major long-term effects on both the poultry and red meat industries, the extent of which is yet to be determined. It is already estimated that more than 50 percent of global poultry trade has been affected, and although there is no danger from properly handled and cooked food, consumers are likely to turn to other protein sources. Further restrictions on poultry imports and exports, however, may result in a glut of cheap poultry meat in some markets or possibly a decline in production as flocks are culled.