Egg Producer Cal-Maine Foods Temporarily Shuts Down Texas Facility Due to Avian Influenza

A Cal-Maine Foods facility in Parmer County, Texas, tested positive for highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), resulting in depopulation of approximately 1.6 million laying hens and 337,000 pullets (young hens), or approximately 3.6% of the company’s total flock.

Production at the facility has temporarily ceased as Cal-Maine follows the protocols prescribed by the USDA. Cal-Maine Foods is working to secure production from other facilities to minimize disruption to its customers. The company is the largest producer and distributor of fresh shell eggs in the United States.

Cal-Maine Foods acquires shuttered Tyson poultry plant.

According to a company statement, Cal-Maine "remains dedicated to robust biosecurity programs across its locations; however, no farm is immune from HPAI. HPAI is still present in the wild bird population and the extent of possible future outbreaks, with heightened risk during the migration seasons, cannot be predicted. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the human health risk to the U.S. public from HPAI viruses is considered to be low. Also, according to the USDA, HPAI cannot be transmitted through safely handled and properly cooked eggs. There is no known risk related to HPAI associated with eggs that are currently in the market and no eggs have been recalled."

The company added that it continues to work closely with federal, state and local government officials and focused industry groups to mitigate the risk of future outbreaks and effectively manage its response.