Bird flu: It's safe for consumers to eat chicken, eggs

While some consumers remain wary of eating eggs or chicken as the bird flu outbreak continues to dominate news headlines, experts have allayed these fears. But it's best to be safe where possible, especially when handling and cooking poultry products

South Africa is experiencing what is believed to be the worst outbreak of avian influenza (bird flu) in six provinces. While consumers are worried about how safe it is to consume poultry products, experts caution that there is nothing to be concerned about.

In an article published on Heath For Mzansi, Johannesburg-based registered dietitian Xoli Dube confirms that it is generally safe to consume properly cooked poultry products like chicken and eggs during a bird flu outbreak. Cooking poultry to an internal temperature of at least 74°C (until both the white and yolk are firm) kills the bird flu virus, if present, she shares.

Proper food handling and safety practices

It is, however important to follow proper food handling and safety practices such as:

Thoroughly cooking poultry products to ensure they are safe to eat.
Avoiding cross-contamination by using separate cutting boards and utensils for raw poultry and other foods.
Wash hands, utensils, and surfaces thoroughly after handling raw poultry.
Storing raw poultry and eggs properly in the refrigerator to prevent bacterial growth.

“Additionally, if there are specific advisories or guidelines from the department of health or the National Institute for Communicable Diseases regarding the consumption of poultry products during a bird flu outbreak, it’s important to follow them,” Dube says.

Egg shortages

Avian influenza, which is a highly contagious disease has also led to a spike in egg prices. Mbali Natali from KwaZulu-Natal has seen a significant price change and scarcity of eggs since she heard about the ongoing bird flu.

“I have no idea how to ensure the eggs and chicken I bought are safe; it’s just an assumption I have that if it’s in store, farmers must have checked their chickens or it was in stock before the outbreak. I am really scared now to purchase eggs or chicken,” she says.

“Egg prices have also increased significantly compared to chicken prices. It seems like food retailers are out to move stock, and most people are not aware, so when you see chickens on sale, you buy them,” she shares in the article.

CLICK HERE TO READ THE FULL ARTICLE