FDA Delays Mad Cow Feed Rules, Seeks More Input
Date: 12-Jul-04
Country: USA
Author: Randy Fabi
The agency issued a notice asking the public to comment on whether it should ban all animal protein from cattle feed, as well as several other questions. Mad cow disease is believed to be spread when the remains of infected animals are recycled into other products.
The public comments are due next month.
Separately the FDA, which is part of the Health and Human Services Department, proposed long-delayed rules that will close loopholes that might have allowed infected materials from cattle to seep into the human food supply.
Both sets of measures were initially announced in January, soon after the first U.S. case of mad cow disease was found in a Washington state dairy cow.
"Although our current rules are strong, when it comes to public health and safety we cannot be content with the status quo," said Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy Thompson.
The FDA said it has reached a "preliminary conclusion" to ban material from the brain, skull and spine from cattle 30 months and older in all animal feed. Officials are currently working on drafting a proposal to accomplish this.
However, the FDA has not yet decided whether it should ban downer cattle - those too sick or hurt to walk - from all animal feed and was looking for public input in making its final decision.
The agency also asked whether meatpackers should use separate facilities when handling cattle feed to prevent cross contamination.
