Avian (Bird) Flu is spread through contact with infected birds. The Food Standards Agency and other health organisations around the world have confirmed that there are no reports of the disease being passed on through cooked or uncooked poultry, game or eggs.
On the basis of current scientific evidence, Avian (Bird) Flu is not considered to pose a food safety risk. However, as always, we would advise cooking poultry, game and eggs thoroughly to avoid the risk of food poisoning.
Poultry can include chicken, duck, goose, turkey and guinea fowl.
Q1. Is it safe to eat chicken, duck and other poultry or game?
Yes. The disease is spread through contact with infected birds. There have been no reports of the disease being passed on through cooked or uncooked poultry or game. As always, poultry or game should be cooked thoroughly.
Q2. Is it safe to eat eggs?
Yes. There have been no reports of the disease being passed on through eating eggs.
Again, it is always best to cookeggs thoroughly.
Q3. Am I at risk from touching poultry in the store?
No. The disease is spread through contact with infected birds and not uncooked or cooked poultry.
Q4. Should I take special precautions when handling raw poultry and eggs?
No. As always, after handling any raw food including poultry meat and eggs you should wash your hands, utensils and surfaces thoroughly to avoid cross contamination.
Q5. Are you sure where the poultry and eggs you sell come from?
Yes. We can trace all products back to the farm that they came from and the time they were reared. Our production standards and traceability systems are second to none.
Q6. What is Tesco doing to prevent the disease infecting its chickens?
Our suppliers have stringent controls in place to minimise the risk to their flocks. In addition to their normal controls they are following closely all advice from the Government Veterinary Service.
Q7. What about poultry in other products such as ready meals or pâté?
The Food Standards Agency and other health organisations have advised that eating cooked poultry, game or eggs is not considered to pose a food safety risk.
