Meat on grocery shelvesDue to mounting concerns surrounding trade restrictions in the meat industry, the USDA began testing retail beef in states where dairy cows tested positive for HPAI. The agency is also analyzing muscle samples from condemned dairy cows sent to slaughter and conducting a beef cooking study to determine if the virus can survive different temperatures.

Columbia became the first country to place restrictions on beef imports from states with HPAI outbreaks. Industry groups claim the restrictions are scientifically baseless, but they remain concerned other countries could follow their lead.

HPAI has been confirmed in 34 dairy herds across nine states, but there have been no reports of beef-raise cattle testing positive for bird flu.

Read more about the USDA testing of grocery store beef here.