Some Canadian turkeys may have tested positive for H1N1, but there is no way that would happen in this country, an official with the National Turkey Federation said Thursday.
Joel Brandenberger, president of the National Turkey Federation, told FoxNews.com consumers shouldn't worry — their Thanksgiving turkeys will be safe.
"I cannot think of any instance where there has been a bird with an active case of the flu that has made it off of the farm and into a processing plant," Brandenberger said.
Brandenberger said the U.S. Department of Agriculture has inspectors who look at every bird -- as well as every pig and cow, for that matter -- coming out of U.S. farms and into the food supply chain to ensure that they are healthy and disese-free.
"We have an extensive avian influenza testing program in the U.S. to ensure the turkeys and chicken don't get the bird flu, and that testing program will catch any other flu," he added.
In addition, there are strong biosecurity measures taken to protect birds, Brandenberger said.
"Access to the houses where birds are grown are strictly limited, and the people who can go inside must hear a lot of protective clothing and even dip their feet in disinfectant," he said. "The houses are enclosed so that they limit outside pests."
And, in the very rare chance that a sick bird did make it to market, Brandenberger said cooking the bird thoroughly would eliminate any pathogens of any kind.
"Poultry products are as safe as they've always been," he added.
Ontario health officials confirmed Wednesday that a flock of Canadian breeding turkeys have the virus, United Press International reported.
Dr. Arlene King, Ontario’s chief medical officer, said there is no risk to consumers.
An infected farmer likely spread the virus to the turkeys, King said, and she called for all farmers to get the H1N1 vaccine.
The Toronto Sun identified the infected turkeys: They were found at Hybrid Turkeys in Kitchener, Canada, which is northwest of Toronto.
Click here to read more of this story at UPI.com.
Earlier this week, three pigs at the Minnesota State Fair tested positive for H1N1. Health officials said the "show pigs" at the fair were not a threat to livestock pigs raised for food.
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