“It's Not in Your Food” Is Message to Consumers

The poultry industry is offering a Web site to respond to any public concern that may occur over avian influenza, highlighting the fact that it is not a food issue and that H5N1 highly pathogenic avian influenza - “bird flu” - does not exist in the United States.

“Protecting flocks, protecting people,” says the site, at www.avianinfluenzainfo.com. “Avian influenza: It's not in your food,” the site says, in an article on the safety of poultry products. The site is a joint project of the National Chicken Council (NCC), National Turkey Federation (NTF), and Egg Safety Center (ESC).

“The Web site www.avianinfluenzainfo.com will allow the industry to communicate with our partners, customers, and consumers regarding the latest information on avian influenza,” said Hilary Shallo Thesmar, Ph.D., R.D., director of the Egg Safety Center in Washington, D.C. “The goal of the poultry industry is to prevent the disease from occurring in our flocks and to continue to provide a safe, wholesome, and nutrient rich product,” she said.

Richard Lobb, NCC communications director, said the site would provide information to the public on such issues as the fact that the U.S. imports no poultry from areas affected by the “bird flu” in Asia and that U.S. poultry are protected from migratory birds and other potential sources of the avian influenza virus.

“As Thanksgiving is approaching and nearly every American will have turkey at the center of their plate, this Web site will remind people that we don't import any turkeys into the United States,” said Sherrie Rosenblatt, senior director of marketing and communications at NTF. “The U.S. turkey farmer's number one priority is to ensure the health and well-being of the flock to provide a safe and nutritious product for Thanksgiving and all year long."

Information is given in brief articles, a question-and-answer format, and in news releases. Some information is also given in Spanish. Links are also provided to sources of official information, such as the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

“So far we have had no indication that the public is very concerned about avian influenza in its present form or about food safety being affected by avian influenza,” Lobb said. “However, we felt it was appropriate to post factual information that will address any concerns that people may have.”

The National Chicken Council represents integrated chicken producer-processors, the companies that produce, process and market chickens. Member companies of NCC account for approximately 95 percent of the chicken sold in the United States.

The National Turkey Federation is the advocate for all segments of the U.S. turkey industry, providing services and conducting activities which increase demand for its members' products and protect and enhance the ability to effectively and profitably provide wholesome, high quality, nutritious turkey products.

The Egg Safety Center provides scientifically accurate information on food safety issues related to eggs. The Center works with egg producers to provide them with the most up to date information available, regulatory officials to share information to improve the safety of eggs, and public health officials to monitor foodborne illnesses. The Egg Safety Center exists under a cooperative agreement between the American Egg Board and United Egg Producers.

You may view this article on the http://www.avianinfluenzainfo.com web site at:

http://www.avianinfluenzainfo.com/news/news_detail.cgi/6/0

Hilary Shallo Thesmar, PhD, RD
Director
Egg Safety Center
1050 17th St. NW, Suite 560
Washington, DC 20036

To create the egg, Mr. Rabon used a large, brown shell egg and etched various Georgia themes into the shell. On one side is the Georgia State Seal. On the other, an outline of the state with the Brown Thrasher (the state bird) and a peach (Georgia's official fruit) superimposed over the silhouette of the state of Georgia. Both sides are cut out in the shape of live oaks (the Georgia state tree.)

2008 Easter Egg

An egg crafted by Mrs. Helen M. Dunham of Woodstock, Georgia has been chosen by the Georgia Egg Commission as the official 2008 Easter egg. The egg will represent Georgia and be displayed in the White House, along with eggs from each state and the District of Columbia, during the Easter season.
Mrs. Dunham described her winning Georgia egg noting that it features the state bird, the state flower, and the state tree. "The viewer will first see the male Brown Thrasher sitting on the outside of the egg on the stems and among the blooms of the Cherokee Rose. The female is minding her babies on the inside of the egg, securely nestled in the branches of a Live Oak Tree. The outside front of the egg is trimmed with gold cord and pink rhinestones, with the back of the egg featuring a finely-cut, lattice design," she said.

2009 White House Easter Egg Contest
Georgia Egg Commission
P.O. box 2929
Suwanne, GA 30024

The annual display is coordinated at the national level by the American Egg Board and for the state by the Georgia Egg Commission.

GOVERNOR PERDUE PROCLAIMS EGG MONTH

Governor Sonny Perdue traditionally proclaims the month of May as Egg Month in Georgia to recognize the importance of the egg industry to our state! By doing so, Georgia joins with other egg promotional groups throughout the country in celebration of what has become a national observance!

Georgia's egg industry is very important to the state's economy, accounting for cash receipts of $368 million. Some 11.5 million layers produce more than 3 billion eggs every year!

The state's egg industry is represented in a program of promotion, education, and research by the Georgia Egg Commission with offices in Forest Park. Funding for the Commission is derived from a producer-paid assessment, and no tax monies are received. For more information and free recipes write us at the Georgia Egg Commission, P.O. box 2929 Suwanne, GA 30024.