Avian Influenza: advice on preparing fully intact wild game birds in the home

The Foods Standards Agency (FSA) is reminding those who prepare fully intact and feathered wild game birds in the home to take extra precautions during the ongoing outbreak of Avian Influenza across the UK. This guidance is aimed specifically at individuals who prepare feathered wild birds by hanging, plucking and gutting them at home.

FSA scientists advise that, while Avian Influenza overall poses a very low food safety risk for UK consumers, there is a slightly increased risk for those who handle fully intact and feathered wild game birds in the home. This is because the virus can be present on feathers and in the intestines and this could generate contamination of surfaces in the home. Therefore, those who are handling wild game birds should take extra precaution to limit the risk of exposure through cleaning and preventing cross-contamination.

The FSA's overall advice remains the same - that avian flu poses a very low food safety risk for UK consumers. Properly cooked poultry and poultry products, including eggs, are safe to eat. For more information about good food hygiene, please visit the FSA website.