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USDA Issues Order on Avian Influenza in Dairy Cattle

To further protect the U.S. livestock industry from the threat posed by highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza, USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service announced a federal order requiring the measures effective Monday, April 29.

Mandatory Testing for Interstate Movement of Dairy Cattle

  • Prior to interstate movement, dairy cattle are required to receive a negative test for Influenza A virus at an approved National Animal Health Laboratory Network  laboratory.
  • Owners of herds in which dairy cattle test positive for interstate movement will be required to provide epidemiological information, including animal movement tracing.
  • Dairy cattle moving interstate must adhere to conditions specified by APHIS.
  • As will be described in forthcoming guidance, these steps will be immediately required for lactating dairy cattle, while these requirements for other classes of dairy cattle will be based on scientific factors concerning the virus and its evolving risk profile.

Mandatory Reporting

  • Laboratories and state veterinarians must report positive Influenza A nucleic acid detection diagnostic results (e.g. PCR or genetic sequencing) in livestock to USDA APHIS.
  • Laboratories and state veterinarians must report positive Influenza A serology diagnostic results in livestock to USDA APHIS.

USDA has identified spread between cows within the same herd, spread from cows to poultry, spread between dairies associated with cattle movements, and cows without clinical signs that have tested positive. On April 16, APHIS microbiologists identified a shift in an H5N1 sample from a cow in Kansas that could indicate that the virus has an adaptation to mammals. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention conducted further analysis of the specimen sequence, which did not change their overall risk assessment for the general public, because the substitution has been seen previously in other mammalian infections and does not impact viral transmission. Additionally, APHIS’ National Veterinary Services Laboratories found H5N1 in a lung tissue sample from an asymptomatic cull dairy cow that originated from an affected herd and did not enter the food supply.

The novel movement of H5N1 between wild birds and dairy cows requires further testing and time to develop a critical understanding to support any future courses of action. This Federal Order is critical to increasing the information available for USDA. Requiring positive test reporting will help USDA better under this disease and testing before interstate movement will limit its spread.

Thus far, USDA has not found changes to the virus that would make it more transmissible to humans and between people. While cases among humans in direct contact with infected animals are possible, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention believes that the current risk to the public remains low.

Additionally, ASDA continues to see affected cows recover after supported care with little to no associated mortality. The agency also continues to work with partners in the states and industry to emphasize the critical importance biosecurity plays in limiting disease spread for all livestock and poultry.

View the federal order.

In an effort to maximize understanding and research on H5N1 in dairy cattle, on April 21, APHIS made publicly available 239 genetic sequences from the U.S. H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4b influenza virus recently found in samples associated with the ongoing HPAI outbreak in poultry and wild birds, and the recent H5N1 event in dairy cattle. APHIS has also offered virus samples to interested researchers to facilitate epidemiological study. Increasing the understanding of this disease and how it spreads is critical to stopping it.

This is why APHIS is urging dairy cattle producers and those who work in or with the industry to share epidemiological information from affected farms, even if they are not planning to move cattle interstate. APHIS further urges producer participation in public health assessments to continue to confirm worker safety and monitor for any potential changes in the virus that could impact transmissibility.

In addition,  the U.S. Food and Drug Administration released an update on the ongoing work to ensure continued effectiveness of the federal-state milk safety system. It is important to emphasize that, based on the information and research available to us at this time, the FDA and USDA believe that the commercial milk supply is safe because of both the pasteurization process and the required diversion or destruction of milk from sick cows.

Pasteurization has continuously proven to inactivate bacteria and viruses in milk. The FDA and USDA continue to work closely to collect and evaluate additional data and information specific to avian influenza in dairy cattle and to support state counterparts as this emerging disease in dairy cattle is managed.

As USDA continues to take steps to protect the health of livestock, the department continues to work closely with federal partners at the CDC on protecting the health of people and FDA on protecting the safety of the food supply. The U.S. government is committed to addressing this situation with urgency.

To learn more about USDA’s response to HPAI in dairy cattle, visit www.aphis.usda.gov/livestock-poultry-disease/avian/avian-influenza/hpai-detections/livestock.

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Hint Water Helps Feeding America in ‘Hydrate to Donate’ Campaign

Hint, Inc., maker of the market-leading flavored still water, is partnering with Feeding America in a “Hydrate to Donate” campaign to support local food banks in providing meals to individuals and families experiencing food insecurity.

Through its “Hydrate to Donate” campaign, Hint has pledged to help provide 1.75 million meals to people in need in America. To do this, the fruit-flavored water company will donate $3 for each Feeding America bundle sold on drinkhint.com, Hint’s direct-to-consumer website, and $1 for each case featured in a Feeding America in-store display at retailers nationwide.

The company has also pledged to further its impact through national and local product donations, employee volunteering, and direct local food bank support. Hint invites customers to join the movement to end hunger in our nation, where millions of people face hunger, including 1 in 5 children.

“Everyone deserves equitable access to vital needs like food and water, yet each year, millions of people in every community across America experience food insecurity,” said Amy Calhoun Robb, chief marketing officer at Hint. “We love that Feeding America invests 98 percent of all donations to local, state and nationwide food banks and meal programs. At Hint, we believe in the power of hydration and the impact of kindness. Partnering with the nation’s largest hunger-relief organization empowers us, our retail partners, and our customers to help end hunger in our neighboring communities – and in every county across the country.”

The “Hydrate to Donate” campaign will unfold at retail locations through May 31 and online at drinkhint.com through Dec. 31:

  • RetailHint’s in-store “Hydrate to Donate” campaign will give retailers the opportunity to set out specially stickered cases, as well as “Hydrate to Donate” pallet and rack displays, to drive awareness for Feeding America and the movement to end hunger. For every case displayed at retail, Hint will donate $1 to neighboring food banks that are tied by zip code to the participating retail location.

“One in seven people in the U.S. are facing hunger,” said Lauren Biedron, Feeding America’s senior vice president of corporate partnerships. “We know that ending hunger is a mission that requires strong collaboration, which is why we’re grateful for partners like Hint who are helping us ensure everyone has access to the food and resources they need to thrive.”

Hint’s “Hydrate to Donate” campaign aims to raise $175,000, the equivalent of 1.75 million meals for people in need in America. $1 helps Feeding America to provide 10 meals. With these combined initiatives, and through direct national and local product donations, Hint Inc. will make an aggregate minimum donation of $150,000 and maximum of $175,000 to Feeding America in 2024.

Customers can purchase a Feeding America bundle—three 12-pack cases of Hint’s best-selling Pineapple, Watermelon and Blackberry flavors—through Hint’s direct-to-consumer website, drinkhint.com, and support the “Hydrate to Donate” campaign at participating retailers.

Hint is a San Francisco-based beverage company with the mission of helping people fall in love with water by making water taste great. Hint infuses ultra-purified water with natural fruit essences that create unique and surprisingly accurate fruit flavors without adding any sugar, diet sweeteners, or calories. Hint has more than 25 flavors and comes in still and sparkling varieties, as well as a kids’ line. Hint is the #1 unsweetened flavored water in the US according to SPINS/IRI. The brand is sold in traditional retail stores, through foodservice operators, and direct-to-consumer in online channels like drinkhint.com and Amazon.com.

Feeding America is committed to an America where no one hungry. We support tens of millions of people who experience food insecurity to get the food and resources they say they need to thrive as part of a nationwide network of food banks, statewide food bank associations, food pantries and meal programs. We also invest in innovative solutions to increase equitable access to nutritious food, advocate for legislations that improves food security, such as health, cost of living and employment.

We partner with people experiencing food insecurity, policymakers, organizations, and supporters, united with them in the movement to end hunger. Visit FeedingAmerica.org to learn more.

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Whole Foods Market Names Supplier All-Star Awards of 2023

Supplier All-StarWhole Foods Market announced the recipients of its highly anticipated Supplier All-Star Awards for 2023. The 16 brands recognized exemplify excellence through quality, innovation, value, and sustainability, while enhancing the shopping experience in stores across the country and supporting Whole Foods Market’s purpose to nourish people and the planet.

This year’s awardees represent a diverse array of brands that have left an incredible mark on Whole Foods Market’s aisles, ranging from 4 to 40 years on the retailer’s shelves. As Whole Foods Market celebrates the 12th anniversary of these awards, it underscores the company’s commitment to recognizing and celebrating outstanding partners.

“We are proud to shine a spotlight on this committed group of suppliers and the remarkable contributions they’ve made to enriching our customer’s shopping experiences, advancing our purpose, and pushing the boundaries of excellence within the industry,” said Sonya Gafsi Oblisk, chief merchandising and marketing officer. “These suppliers embody the spirit of collaboration and innovation that Whole Foods Market was built upon more than 40 years ago. We extend our heartfelt congratulations to this year’s Supplier All-Stars for their well-deserved recognition.”

The recipients of the Supplier All-Star Awards are handpicked by a dedicated team of Whole Foods Market leaders, category experts, and merchants, spanning all departments and product categories, including Private Label, Produce, Specialty, Seafood, Meat, Grocery, Culinary, and Whole Body.

Whole Foods Market’s Supplier All-Stars for 2023 include:

– ALOHA
– Amylu Foods
– Atlantic Sea Farms
– Bridor
– Chelten House
– Dr. Bronner’s
– FoodMatch
– Forever Cheese
– Happy Dirt
– Health-Ade
– LaBelle Patrimoine
– Lundberg Family Farms
– Pacific Seafood
– Rainier Fruit Co
– Siete Family Foods
– Wölffer Estate Vineyard

Founded in 1980, Austin-based Whole Foods Market is the world’s leading natural and organic foods retailer and the first certified organic national grocer in the United States. Part of Amazon’s Worldwide Grocery Stores, Whole Foods Market serves customers in more than 530 stores across the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. To learn more about Whole Foods Market, please visit https://media.wholefoodsmarket.com/.

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