Ground beef tested negative for bird flu, USDA says

Tests of ground beef purchased at retail stores have been negative for bird flu so far, the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced Wednesday, after studying meat samples collected from states with herds infected by this year's unprecedented outbreak of the virus in cattle.

The results "reaffirm that the meat supply is safe," the department said in a statement published late Wednesday after the testing was completed.

Health authorities have cited the "rigorous meat inspection process" overseen by the department's Food Safety Inspection Service, or FSIS, when questioned about whether this year's outbreak in dairy cattle might also threaten meat eaters.