NR ARFE
AU anonym
TI Safeguards strengthened against mad cow disease
QU FDA Consumer 2004 Sep-Oct; 38(5): 7
IA http://www.fda.gov/fdac/departs/2004/504_upd.html#cow
PT news
VT
The FDA and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) have taken three actions to strengthen existing safeguards that protect consumers against the agent that causes bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), also known as "mad cow disease."
In July 2004, the FDA published an interim final rule (IFR) that prohibits the use of certain materials from cattle that could carry the BSE-infectious agent in human food, dietary supplements, and cosmetics. These high-risk materials, known as "specified risk materials" (SRMs), include the brain, skull, eyes, and spinal cord of cattle 30 months of age or older, and a portion of the small intestine and tonsils from all cattle, regardless of their age. Also prohibited are materials from non-ambulatory disabled cattle, material from cattle not inspected and passed for human consumption, and mechanically separated beef.
This IFR, in conjunction with IFRs issued by the USDA in January 2004, will minimize human exposure to materials that may put people at risk for a disease similar to BSE called variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (vCJD). Scientific studies have demonstrated that SRMs could contain the BSE agent when derived from cattle that are harboring the BSE agent. Consumption of products contaminated with the agent that causes BSE is the likely cause of vCJD in people. This rule was effective immediately, but the FDA is accepting comments until Oct. 12, 2004, for consideration before publishing a final rule.
In a second action, the FDA published a proposed rule requiring manufacturers and processors of human food, dietary supplements, and cosmetics derived from certain cattle materials to maintain records showing that prohibited materials are not used in their products.
Finally, the USDA and the FDA jointly published an advance notice of proposed rulemaking (ANPR) requesting comments and scientific information on additional measures to help prevent the spread of BSE. In the ANPR, the FDA is requesting comments on potential new controls on animal feed, including:
- removing SRMs from all animal feed, including pet food, to control the risks of cross contamination throughout feed manufacture and distribution, as well as on the farm
- requiring dedicated equipment or facilities for handling and storing feed and ingredients that may contain prohibited material during manufacturing and transportation, to prevent cross contamination
- prohibiting the use of all mammalian and poultry protein in feed for ruminants (such as cows, sheep, and goats), to prevent cross contamination
- prohibiting materials from non-ambulatory disabled cattle and dead stock from use in all animal feed.
The FDA's current animal feed rule, which became effective in 1997, helps prevent the establishment and spread of BSE through feed in the United States. FDA and state investigators inspect animal feed firms to ensure compliance with the rule. According to the latest inspection results of July 17, 2004, among companies handling material prohibited in feed for ruminants, compliance rates remain greater than 99 percent.
For more information, visit: www.fda.gov/oc/opacom/hottopics/bse.html or www.fsis.usda.gov/oa/topics/bse.htm.
MH Animals; Cattle; Encephalopathy, Bovine Spongiform/*prevention & control; Humans; *Legislation, Food; *Meat Products; United States; United States Food and Drug Administration
SP englisch
PO USA