The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has published an outline of its research priorities regarding the dairy food safety implications of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) H5N1.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has provided updates on its sampling and testing activities of retail milk for the presence of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) viral fragments. Additionally, Health Canada and CFIA recently completed a study on pasteurization’s efficacy against HPAI in milk. 

In this episode of Food Safety Matters, we are joined by influential food safety scientist and Distinguished Service Award recipient, Dr. Kathleen (Kathy) Glass, Ph.D. Topics discussed include Dr. Glass’s academic research and her work on challenge studies for food products; the ongoing HPAI outbreak, considering her expertise in dairy food safety; and her experiences as part of NACMCF.

University of Edinburgh researchers have conducted a study that affirms the efficacy of standard pasteurization practices against Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) H5N1.

A recent study has shown the ability of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) H5N1 to infect mice fed contaminated raw milk, while, separately, testing conducted by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Food Safety and Inspection Service (USDA-FSIS) has found HPAI traces in muscle from culled dairy cows.

In light of the ongoing Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) H5N1 outbreak that has been affecting dairy cattle herds in the U.S., the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) sampled and tested milk at retail to determine the presence of HPAI viral fragments.

In a May 16 webinar, a USDA official revealed some findings from the agency’s ongoing testing of beef products for viable Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) H5N1 virus.

While stressing that the U.S. meat supply is safe, USDA has revealed that it is testing ground beef at retail for the presence of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) H5N1—also known as “bird flu”—in light of the ongoing outbreak among cattle.

FDA recently revealed results of a survey that found HPAI H5N1 genetic material in one in five retail milk samples; additional testing is required to understand the possible presence and risk of intact, infectious virus. Supported by other studies showing the efficacy of pasteurization against HPAI, FDA maintains its position that the U.S. milk supply is safe.

To address the spread of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) H5N1, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has issued a federal order that requires testing of dairy cows for the virus, as well as mandatory reporting.