USA – Cal-Maine Foods, a leading US producer and distributor of fresh shell eggs, has temporarily ceased production at a facility in Kansas following an outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI).
The Mississippi-based company reported that approximately 684,000 laying hens, representing around 1.6% of its total flock, tested positive for HPAI.
While Cal-Maine has not disclosed the specific location of the affected facility, it confirmed that production has been halted in accordance with protocols prescribed by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA).
Meanwhile, the company is actively working to secure production from other facilities to minimize disruption to its customers.
This comes at a time when avian influenza has been a concern for the poultry industry globally.
According to the USDA, over 72.5 million chickens, turkeys, and other birds have been culled since the avian flu outbreak began in February 2022, affecting 426 commercial flocks in 47 states, with 23 new cases reported in the last 30 days.
Cal-Maine emphasized that the current detections do not pose an immediate public health concern and are not a threat to the food supply.
The company highlighted that HPAI cannot be transmitted through safely handled and properly cooked eggs or poultry.
“Consequently, there is no known risk associated with eggs currently in the market, and no recalls have been initiated.”
The affected facility in Kansas is believed to house around 1 million hens in a nearby layer complex. Cal-Maine is implementing strict protocols to prevent the exposure of other locations to the virus.
Yahya Elwathik Bellah, Minister Plenipotentiary and First Undersecretary-Head of the Egyptian Commercial Service, emphasized the ongoing global threat of avian influenza and its potential impact on the poultry trade.
“The disease has been spreading further into Latin America, raising concerns about its potential impact on Brazil’s southern production states, which account for over 60% of the country’s poultry production,” he said.
While the vertically integrated nature of poultry production in Brazil and stricter prevention protocols may help control the spread of the virus, there are concerns about the lack of compensation packages for bird losses due to an avian influenza outbreak.
To address the challenges posed by avian influenza, Elwathik Bellah stressed the importance of improving infrastructure, standardizing specifications, fostering research and development, and adopting modern technologies in the food industry.
As Cal-Maine and global poultry producers navigate the challenges presented by avian influenza, industry participants are closely monitoring the situation and working collaboratively with government agencies to manage the risks and ensure the safety of the food supply chain.
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