Poultry products are safe to consume.  The Asian H5N1 virus has not been detected in wild or domestic birds in the United States, and imports of live poultry and unprocessed poultry products are banned from countries where it has been found.  Even if the Asian H5N1 virus is detected in the United States, there are several safeguards to ensure food safety including: 

• Early warning and detection in wild bird populations through additional surveillance methods

• Strict “biosecurity” on the farm and hatcheries to prevent contact between commercial flocks and wild birds that may carry the virus

• Routine flock testing to ensure that, in the event of any bird flu detection, infected birds will be destroyed and will not enter the food chain. 

• Inspection of all birds by USDA, both before and after processing. 

And, as with any potential food borne illness, the final protection is you, the consumer, through proper storage, handling and cooking of poultry products.  For more information on proper food handling, preparation and storage, visit USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service Web site at http://www.fsis.usda.gov/Fact_Sheets/index.asp.