Cal-Maine Foods (NASDAQ:CALM) has announced it has temporarily ceased production at one of its Kansas facilities after some of its flock tested positive for highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI).
The Ridgeland, Mississippi-based company said roughly 684,000 laying hens, or approximately 1.6% of its total flock are affected as it follows protocol prescribed by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA).
It is working to secure production from other facilities to minimize disruption to its customers, the company said, adding that there have been no positive tests for HPAI at any of its other locations to date.
“According to the USDA, these detections do not present an immediate public health concern and are not a threat to the food supply,” Cal-Maine said in a statement.
“Also, according to the USDA, HPAI cannot be transmitted through safely handled and properly cooked eggs or poultry. There is no known risk related to HPAI associated with eggs that are currently in the market and no eggs have been recalled.”
Cal-Maine Foods (NASDAQ:CALM) is primarily engaged in the production, grading, packing, marketing and sale of fresh shell eggs, including conventional, cage-free, organic, pasture-raised, free-range and nutritionally enhanced eggs.
After declining 3.7% on Tuesday, Cal-Maine’s shares were down a further 0.4% in Wednesday pre-market trading.