Food regulators have issued an urgent warning to Australian consumers about cooked chicken and eggs, allaying concerns over potential contamination with bird flu.
This comes five days after Coles supermarkets announced it would impose egg purchasing restrictions after bird flu was detected at a fifth poultry farm in Victoria.
The retail giant has introduced a temporary limit of two egg cartons per customer in all stores, except for customers in Western Australia.
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Now, Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) has issued a statement to allay concerns about avian influenza contamination in chicken and egg products.
“Avian influenza is not a food safety concern and properly handled and cooked chicken, eggs and egg products are safe to eat,” it said in the new statement.
“There is no evidence that the virus can be transmitted to humans through properly cooked food.”
Coles has introduced egg purchasing limits in all but one state. Credit: AAP
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FSANZ CEO Dr Sandra Cuthbert further said Australia's biosecurity and food regulatory systems ensure the safety of our food supply.
“Farms affected by avian flu have been quarantined and the movement of animals and products restricted,” Dr Cuthbert said.
“Poultry flocks infected with avian influenza are culled as part of the emergency response to contain the disease because it is highly contagious among poultry. This method is intended to limit the spread of the disease among birds and is not intended to control food safety.”
“For animal products to be sold as food, the animal must not be a source of food safety concerns. All retail products must meet strict food safety production requirements.”
“Combining biosecurity and food regulatory measures increases confidence in the safety of our food supply.
“Consumers can be confident that the poultry and egg products on sale are safe to eat. Consumers and food businesses should always follow good hygiene practices when handling and preparing food.”
Food officials said there was no risk from eating properly cooked chicken or eggs, despite the bird flu outbreak. Credit: AAP
“To reduce food safety risks, it is important to always ensure food is stored, handled and prepared properly,” the Australian Food Standards Agency said.
More than half a million chickens have been euthanized on five chicken farms in southwest Victoria to stop the spread of the disease.
Coles is the only major supermarket to impose egg restrictions in response to the outbreak – Woolworths and Aldi do not currently have any restrictions in place.
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