The largest fresh egg producer in the U.S., Cal-Maine Foods, Inc., halted production at a Texas plant and destroyed 1.6 million laying hens and 337,000 pullets after bird flu was found in the flock. The virus was also detected at a poultry facility in Michigan. No eggs have been recalled, and the company is working to secure production from other facilities. Michigan State University identified bird flu in a commercial poultry facility, with Texas and Kansas dairy cows also infected. A person in Texas caught the virus from cows, marking the first such case globally.
Cal-Maine Foods, the largest producer of fresh eggs in the U.S., ceased production at a Texas plant following the discovery of bird flu in chickens. Approximately 1.6 million laying hens and 337,000 pullets were destroyed. The company is collaborating with authorities to manage the response and ensure minimal disruption to customers. There is no bird flu risk associated with eggs in the market, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. A person in contact with infected cows was diagnosed with bird flu, marking the first human case linked to a mammal globally.
A person in Texas tested positive for bird flu after coming into contact with sick cows, marking the second US human case of the virus that has been recently found in dairy herds in states like Texas, Kansas, and Michigan. The virus, also known as avian flu, can cause symptoms ranging from mild respiratory and eye infections to severe pneumonia. The CDC advises avoiding exposure to sick animals and consuming uncooked animal products.
An outbreak of a highly pathogenic strain of bird flu among cattle in the U.S., including a case in a dairy worker in Texas, raises concerns about the virus evolving and spreading to mammals. Symptoms of the H5N1 virus can be fatal, with recent cases in the U.S. and Vietnam. The risk to the general public remains low, with advice against unpasteurized dairy products from infected animals.
Cal-Maine Foods, Inc. is an American fresh egg producer, established in 1969 and based in Jackson, Mississippi. Its eggs are sold mostly in mid-Atlantic, midwestern, southeastern, and southwestern states. These regions account for approximately a quarter of US egg consumption. Cal-Maine is a public company trading on the NASDAQ, headed by its founder, Fred R. Adams, Jr., whose family owns a controlling interest.
Tyson Foods, Inc. is an American multinational corporation based in Springdale, Arkansas that operates in the food industry. The company is the world's second-largest processor and marketer of chicken, beef, and pork after JBS S.A. It annually exports the largest percentage of beef out of the United States. Together with its subsidiaries, it operates major food brands, including Jimmy Dean, Hillshire Farm, Ball Park, Wright Brand, Aidells, and State Fair. Tyson Foods ranked No. 79 in the 2020 Fortune 500 list of the largest United States corporations by total revenue.Tyson Foods has been involved in a number of controversies related to the environment, animal welfare, and the welfare of their own employees. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Tyson Foods was accused by some employees of failing to implement certain recommended protections, including physical distancing measures, plexiglass barriers and wearing of face masks. Multiple lawsuits have been filed against the company, alleging gross and willful negligence for the spread of COVID-19 at their plants.
The upcoming documentary Food, Inc. 2 shines a spotlight on farm workers' rights, corporate consolidation, and the prevalence of ultra-processed foods, with a campaign supported by entities like The Open Markets Institute and the Coalition of Immokalee Workers. California recently banned four harmful chemicals from processed foods, a move reflecting the growing awareness of food safety issues. These chemicals, banned in the EU, are still present in popular American products. The film builds on the impact of the original Food, Inc., which contributed to the passing of significant food safety legislation in the US.
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