Officials order 20 million chickens held from market

The Associated Press has reported that on Friday federal officials placed a hold on 20 million chickens raised for market in several states because their feed was mixed with pet food contaminated with melamine.

Three government agencies - the USDA, FDA and EPA - are overseeing a risk assessment to determine whether the chickens would pose a threat to human health if eaten, the AP reports. The assessment may be completed as early as Monday.

The 20 million chickens represent a small fraction of the 9 billion chickens raised each year in the United States.

Information regarding which states have chicken producers affected by the hold is expected to be announced later.

More information will be posted on the AVMA Web site as soon as it becomes available.