Understanding HPAI and Food Safety
Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) has just catapulted into being a serious concern in the food industry, particularly for poultry products. To understand the safety measures implemented against HPAI, it’s crucial to first grasp the nature of the virus and the techniques used to combat it.
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Virus Structure and Infectivity
HPAI is an enveloped virus, meaning its genetic material is surrounded by a protein wall or envelope. This envelope is critical for the virus’s ability to infect host cells. Without an intact envelope, the virus cannot cause disease, even if its genetic material is present.
Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) has just catapulted into being a serious concern in the food industry, particularly for poultry products. To understand the safety measures implemented against HPAI, it’s crucial to first grasp the nature of the virus and the techniques used to combat it.
..
Virus Structure and Infectivity
HPAI is an enveloped virus, meaning its genetic material is surrounded by a protein wall or envelope. This envelope is critical for the virus’s ability to infect host cells. Without an intact envelope, the virus cannot cause disease, even if its genetic material is present.
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So anything that destroys that envelope around the DNA will make it so that the virus cannot infect.
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Measures being used by some of our manufacturers include cooking, HPP and excellent sourcing.
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Cooking
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It’s as old as time. Cooking to an internal temperature of 165F kills most pathogens, including virus particles. While not all pet food companies use this technique, if pet parents are concerned during this period of intensified worry, then lightly cook your pet food if it isn’t already done so by the manufacturer. (Yes, finally ground bone, lightly cooked, will pass through the intestines. It’s the giant chunks of bone that big dogs like to break in half and swallow whole that cause health problems.)
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High Pressure Processing (HPP)
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This technique is particularly effective against enveloped viruses like HPAI:
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• Mechanism: HPP affects the virus’s envelope, potentially preventing it from reforming and thus rendering the virus non-infectious.
• Application: Many raw pet food manufacturers use HPP for their poultry products to enhance safety.
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Sourcing
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Especially due to this recent attack, USDA will be testing poultry. In fact, we’ve been informed by one manufacturer in California, that the California Department of Food and Agriculture test
every
single
chicken, turkey, and duck
carcass before it enters the human food chain.
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Our manufacturers source from the exact same food as is sold to humans.
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Challenges in HPAI Detection and Regulation Detection Methods
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The current methods for detecting HPAI in food products primarily focus on identifying viral DNA. However, this approach has limitations:
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• DNA vs. Viability: The presence of viral DNA doesn’t necessarily indicate an active, infectious virus, especially in HPP-treated products.
• Regulatory Approach: There’s a need for more nuanced testing methods that can distinguish between potentially infectious viruses and harmless viral remnants.
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Controversies and Considerations
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Raw Pet Food Industry Impact
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The recent focus on HPAI in raw pet food has led to significant controversies:
• Industry Perception: There’s a concern that raw pet food is being disproportionately targeted, despite the use of safety measures like HPP and USDA passed and sourced meats. The announcement was delivered with the same amount of red flags as the DCM controversy. Which later went away under guise of a whisper.
• Case Study Limitations: The reported case of a cat falling ill lacks comprehensive details about the animal’s history and potential exposure routes. We don’t know if the food that was tested was asepticly delivered to the laboratory. We don’t know if the food was contaminated. We don’t know if the food bag was sealed or unsealed.
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Public Communication and Panic
The timing and manner of announcements regarding HPAI have raised questions:
• Holiday Timing: The announcement during the holiday season has been criticized for potentially causing unnecessary panic.
• Historical Parallels: Comparisons are being drawn to the unidentified “mystery disease” affecting dogs in the 2023 holiday season.
• Case Study Limitations: The reported case of a cat falling ill lacks comprehensive details about the animal’s history and potential exposure routes. We don’t know if the food that was tested was asepticly delivered to the laboratory. We don’t know if the food was contaminated. We don’t know if the food bag was sealed or unsealed.
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Public Communication and Panic
The timing and manner of announcements regarding HPAI have raised questions:
• Holiday Timing: The announcement during the holiday season has been criticized for potentially causing unnecessary panic.
• Historical Parallels: Comparisons are being drawn to the unidentified “mystery disease” affecting dogs in the 2023 holiday season.
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Conclusion
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While HPAI remains a concern in food safety, the current approach to detection and regulation may need refinement. In fact, why is there no public discussion of the potential impact to the human food supply, and to human illness? (HPAI absolutely infects humans!)
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As the situation evolves, balanced and transparent communication from regulatory bodies will be crucial in addressing public concerns while maintaining food safety standards.
As the situation evolves, balanced and transparent communication from regulatory bodies will be crucial in addressing public concerns while maintaining food safety standards.
