Food regulator FSSAI issued detailed guidelines in view of the bird flu scare. Here is the full list of Do's & Don'ts issued by the FSSAI.
The Centre on Saturday said bird flu in poultry has been confirmed so far in nine states of Kerala, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Uttarakhand, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh and Punjab.
Avian influenza has been confirmed in 12 states for crow/migratory/wild birds. The states include Madhya Pradesh, Haryana, Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Himachal Pradesh, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Delhi, Rajasthan, Jammu and Kashmir and Punjab.
The ministry said that the control and containment operations are going on in the affected epicentres of Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Uttarakhand and Kerala.
"Compensation is paid to farmers whose poultry birds, eggs and poultry feed are culled/disposed of by the State as per the Action Plan," the statement said.
The current bird flu outbreak comes barely a few months after India on September 30, 2020, declared the country free from the disease. India notified the first outbreak of avian influenza in 2006.
Food regulator FSSAI mentioned that the World Health Organisation (WHO) has stated it is safe to consume poultry meat and eggs and there is no epidemiological data to suggest the disease can be transmitted to humans through cooked food.
The regulator also issued detailed guidelines in view of the bird flu scare. Here is the full list of Do's & Don'ts issued by the FSSAI to beat bird flu or avian flu in India:
1. Do not eat half-boiled eggs, undercooked chicken
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In view of the bird flu scare, regulator FSSAI advised consumers not to eat half-boiled eggs and undercooked chicken.
2. Avoid touching dead birds with bare hands
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For retail shops, the FSSAI asked consumers not to bring any live or slaughtered/ dead poultry birds from the avian influenza outbreak areas and also not allow it to enter into the food chain.
3. No direct contact with raw meat
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Poultry meat and eggs from areas with outbreaks in poultry should not be consumed raw or partially cooked, the FSSAI said.
4. Use mask, gloves at the time of handling raw chicken
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The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has also urged consumers and food businesses to ensure proper handling and cooking of poultry meat and eggs for safe consumption.
5. Wash hands frequently, maintain cleanliness
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People handling raw meat should wear gloves, masks and wash their hands properly with water and soap, especially before and after handling the raw poultry and eggs, said FSSAI.
6. Eat chicken, eggs and their products after cooking
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Proper cooking inactivates the virus present inside the meat and eggs, said FSSAI.
