As I mentioned yesterday, there are different strains of prions that cause CJD or the human form of mad cow disease. Here's an interesting case of an uncommon strain being identified.
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency was cited as saying on Wednesdaythat a cow discovered late last year with bovine spongiform encephalopathy was suffering from an atypical strain of the fatal illness. Reuters Link
The FDA wants to expand the list of prohibited cattle parts to include supplements and cosmetics. You may supply comments to the FDA until the rule is adopted on July 18, 2008. Unfortunately, you can not submit email. Electric comments can be submiited through a federal eRulemaking portal, which is more headache for the average consumer.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is amending its regulations on the use of materials derived from cattle in human food and cosmetics. In these regulations, FDA has designated certain materials from cattle as ``prohibited cattle materials'' and has banned the use of such materials in human food, including dietary supplements, and in cosmetics. Prohibited cattle materials include specified risk materials (SRMs), the small intestine of all cattle unless the distal ileum is removed, material from nonambulatory disabled cattle, material from cattle not inspected and passed for human consumption, or mechanically separated (MS) (Beef). Specified risk materials include the brain, skull, eyes, trigeminal ganglia, spinal cord, vertebral column (excluding the vertebrae of the tail, the transverse processes of the thoracic and lumbar vertebrae, and the wings of the sacrum), and dorsal root ganglia of cattle 30 months of age and older, and the tonsils and distal ileum of the small intestine of all cattle. FDA is amending its regulations so that FDA may designate a country as not subject to certain bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE)-related restrictions applicable to FDA regulated human food and cosmetics. Federal Register (Volume 73, Number 75)
After 5 years South Korea will now eat American beef.
South Korea has agreed to open its market to all U.S. beef products from cattle of all ages, the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative announced. NWA News
A Californian beef packer exported prohibited cattle material to Japan. This processor is now banned from further business. I would like to know where the QA/QC department for that US meatpacker?
Japan suspended beef imports Wednesday from a US meatpacking plant that shipped risky cuts in violation of a bilateral accord aimed at limiting the threat of mad cow disease. AFP Link
The FDA finalizes a rule that prohibits high risk materials from food. Todays rule finalizes the rules created in 2005 and is effective 12 months from today to allow manufacturers to adapt. Better late than never.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today issued a final regulation barring certain cattle materials from all animal feed, including pet food. The final rule further protects animals and consumers against bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE, also known as "mad cow disease"). FDA Link
Animal activists, meat producers, and lawmakers versus the USDA regarding a complete ban on downed cows. If there is this much confusion between industry and government are they really doing a good job protecting our food supply?
A week after the meat industry called for a ban on downer cows in the nation's food supply, the U.S. Agriculture Department has, according to this story, not agreed to change a policy that allows some sick or injured cows to end up on dinner tables. S. California News LinkMay 2008 Mad Cow News
And how are we taking care of the feeding of our children? Beef suppliers for the National School Lunch Program are cited for humane handling violations. Lovely.
A government inspection of slaughterhouses has found, according to this story, significant problems with the treatment of cattle and two of the nation's largest beef processors — both of which provide meat for the National School Lunch Program — were slapped with humane handling violations. AP Link
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