We’ve been hearing regularly from US health and agriculture officials about the continuing Bird Flu outbreak south of the border. The news there continues pessimistic. But here in Canada, authorities say our milk and dairy products are safe…
It seems some folks – in the US, at least – need repeated assertions from trusted government agencies and their officials that dairy products sold at retail there are safe.
Coast is clear
According to a new National Post story, Canadian milk and dairy products are completely safe from contamination by the Bird flu that’s been causing panic in the US.
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has released a detailed report on the Bird Flu situation. Conclusion: “Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) has not been detected in dairy cattle or other livestock in Canada.”
‘What consumers need to know’
- Pasteurized cow’s milk and milk products remain safe to consume. Milk from dairy cows in Canada must be pasteurized before sale.
- All foreign-source milk and dairy products sold in Canada must be pasteurized.
- Pasteurization kills harmful bacteria and viruses (including influenza) while retaining the nutri-tional properties of milk. Pasteurization ensures the milk we drink is safe.
- There is also no evidence to suggest that eating thoroughly cooked beef could transmit avian influenza to humans. All evidence to date indicates that thorough cooking will kill the virus.
- Safe food handling practices, such as handwashing and keeping meat products separate from other food products to avoid cross contamination should be followed.
My take
More than 200 dairy cows in 27 US states have so far been diagnosed with the Bird Flu virus. Fewer than half a dozen human cases have been reported.
But the Canadian market is totally safe. The CFIA assures us, “HPAI is not a food safety concern, and the risk of transmission to humans remains low.”
Okay: Let’s all take a deep breath…
~ Maggie J.