Bird flu cases are increasing in the US states, and the first death was reported this week in Louisiana.
The spread of avian influenza (HPAI) has also affected the national supply of poultry products, including eggs.
According to the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, bird flu is a highly contagious virus that can be spread by contact with infected animalson the equipment and on the janitor’s clothes and shoes.
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So are eggs in American grocery stores safe to eat?
Experts say eggs are safe to eat amid the bird flu outbreak, as long as they are cooked properly. (iStock)
An April 2024 notice from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) suggests there is a “low” likelihood of infected poultry eggs reaching the retail market.
With proper storage and preparation, eggs should be safe to eat, according to a statement the FDA sent to Fox News Digital.
In 2010, the FDA and USDA (United States Department of Agriculture) concluded in a joint assessment that the risk of infected with bird flu consumption of contaminated eggshells is low, due to federal inspections and flock testing.
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Anna Wald, dr. MD, chief of the division of allergy and infectious diseases and professor of medicine at the University of Washington, confirmed that store-bought and “properly cooked” eggs are safe to eat.
“Raw milk, however, is not safe,” she told Fox News Digital.
“The death of domestic cats from bird flu is associated with the consumption of raw milk from infected cows. Pasteurized milk is safe.”
A sign informs customers of possible egg shortages at a grocery store in Glendale, Calif., Jan. 6, 2025. Bird flu, a disrupted supply chain and other factors have contributed to a spike in egg prices in California. (ROBYN BECK/AFP via Getty Images)
Los Angeles-based nutritionist Ilana Muhlstein also weighed in, saying that if the food is fully cooked to the proper temperature, it should be “OK.”
“This means that I would not eat soft-boiled, liquid or soft poached eggs for the next month or so until it’s confirmed that this flu is under control,” she advised. “That might be a little overdramatic, but I’d rather be careful.”
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The nutritionist also mentioned that the price of eggs is likely to increase virus continues to spread.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has released the latest information on food safety and bird flu, noting that eating uncooked or undercooked poultry or beef, or drinking raw milk, can “make you sick.”
One registered dietitian has warned against eating soft-boiled or “runny” eggs while there is bird flu. (iStock)
Cooking poultry and eggs to an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit will kill bacteria and viruses like bird flu, according to the CDC.
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The agency suggested separating uncooked poultry from cooked food and cooking all poultry and poultry products (including eggs) “through” before eating.
Cooking poultry and eggs to an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit will kill bacteria and viruses, including bird flu.
“Although there is no evidence that anyone in the United States has become infected with avian influenza A virus after eating properly processed and cooked poultry products, uncooked poultry and other poultry products (such as blood) may have been the source of a small number of avian influenza A virus infections in people in Southeast Asia,” the CDC warned.
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Fox News Digital has also reached out to the USDA for comment.
Fox News Digital’s Melissa Rudy contributed to this report.
