BIRD FLU: With bird flu in the headlines every
day, some Americans might be casting a jaundiced eye on that turkey
headed for the dinner table on Thanksgiving.[neWLine]

Not to worry.[neWLine]

As long as you roast your turkey properly and observe
safe food-handling practices, there’s no need to worry about the
so-called “”bird flu,”” according to poultry experts in Penn
State’s College of Agricultural Sciences.

[neWLine]

“”While avian flu has been observed in people and birds on other
continents, it isn’t something for Americans to get overly
concerned about now,”” says Mike Hulet, associate professor of
poultry science. “”Avian flu hasn’t even entered this country, but
even if it had, as long as a turkey is properly cooked, there is
nothing to worry about. That goes for all bacteria and
viruses.””[neWLine]

“”Also, the birds are thoroughly processed and examined,”” Hulet
said. “”So health issues shouldn’t worry any shopper as long as
they cook a turkey at the right temperature for the proper amount
of time.””[neWLine]

Gregory Martin, an extension poultry educator in Lancaster
County, has been asked by many consumers recently about the safety
of poultry meat and eggs. Some people are anxious about preparing
their Thanksgiving turkey, he notes.[neWLine]

“”In the United States, there is virtually no chance of
encountering meat from chickens or turkeys infected with influenza,
but good food-handling practices, such as thoroughly washing hands
and preparation surfaces with warm soapy water after contact with
raw poultry, would greatly reduce the chance of any food-related
disease.””

[neWLine]

Martin also recommends that consumers purchase a quality food
thermometer to make sure poultry products are cooked to the proper
internal temperature. Food safety experts recommend that the
internal temperature should reach 170 degrees F in the breast, 180
degrees F in the thigh and 160 to 165 degrees F in the center of
the stuffing, and that unused portions are refrigerated
promptly.[neWLine]

[neWLine]

TODAY’S QUOTE: “”Our pursuit of other
governmental ends … may tempt us to accept in small increments a
loss that would be unthinkable if inflicted all at once. For this
reason, we must be as vigilant against the modest diminution of
speech as we are against its sweeping restriction,”” said Supreme
Court Justice William J. Brennan Jr., 1986. As always, today’s
quote is provided by the Freedom Forum.