Final results of USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) beef muscle sampling of cull dairy cows condemned at select FSIS-inspected slaughter facilities confirm the meat supply is safe, the agency said Thursday.
On May 28, 2024, testing was completed on all 109 muscle samples that were collected. No viral particles were detected in 108 out of 109 muscle samples. As previously announced on May 24, viral particles were detected in tissue samples, including diaphragm muscle, from one cow. No meat from these dairy cattle entered the food supply.
USDA has a rigorous meat inspection process, which includes FSIS veterinarians who are present at all federal slaughter facilities. FSIS personnel inspect each animal before slaughter, and all cattle carcasses must pass a second inspection after slaughter and be determined to be fit to enter the human food supply.
FSIS said that while multiple safeguards are in place to protect consumers, the agency continues to recommend consumers properly handle raw meats and cook to a safe internal temperature. Cooking to a safe internal temperature kills bacteria and viruses in meat. Specific recommendations are available online at: Safe Minimum Internal Temperature Chart | Food Safety and Inspection Service
