Frequently Asked Questions About BSE

Has BSE been found in the United States? General Questions Has BSE been found in the United States? Yes. One cow in Washington state has been identified with BSE. The dairy cow was born in Canada and imported into the U.S. in 2001. . The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced December 23, 2003 that BSE had been diagnosed in a Washington state dairy cow. DNA testing confirmed the 6 ½-year-old cow, which investigators refer to as the index cow, was born in Canada and imported to the United States in 2001.

General Questions What is BSE? BSE is a degenerative neurological disease in cattle that scientists believe is caused by misfolded proteins, called prions, which build up in central nervous system (CNS) tissues eventually killing nerve cells. BSE is a degenerative neurological disease in cattle that scientists believe is caused by misfolded proteins, called prions, which build up in central nervous system (CNS) tissues eventually killing nerve cells. Scientists do not know what factors trigger this conversion. Some believe an abnormal protein itself causes the conversion, while others believe a virus-like entity may be involved. Most scientists agree that the accumulation of abnormal proteins in brain cells results in altered function and eventual death of cells. The scientific name of the disease is Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy. The media commonly refer to the disease as “mad cow disease.”

How is BSE spread among cattle? General Questions How is BSE spread among cattle? BSE does not spread from animal to animal, only through feed containing ruminant-derived meat and bone meal (MBM) from BSE-infected cattle. BSE does not spread from animal to animal, only through feed containing ruminant-derived meat and bone meal (MBM) from BSE-infected cattle. The use of ruminant-derived MBM as a protein supplement in cattle feed was banned in the United States in 1997.

Can humans get mad cow disease? General Questions Can humans get mad cow disease? Research from the United Kingdom supports an association between BSE and variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (vCJD). Research from the United Kingdom supports an association between BSE and variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (vCJD), in that vCJD likely developed as a result of people consuming products contaminated with central nervous system (CNS) tissue of BSE-infected cattle. Documented studies report that in naturally infected cattle the BSE agent has only been found in CNS tissue, such as brain, spinal cord and retina tissue. All vCJD victims to date have had a specific genetic make-up that may make them vulnerable to this disease. About 40% of the population has this genetic make-up. Research continues to determine the role genetics may play in this disease.

General Questions What is the difference between BSE, sporadic CJD and vCJD? BSE, sporadic CJD and vCJD are all Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathies (TSEs) which are a class of rare brain diseases, some of which affect humans while others affect animals. While BSE is found only in cattle, sporadic CJD and vCJD are found in humans. Sporadic CJD and vCJD are distinctly separate brain diseases, each with its own unique clinical and histopathological features. BSE, sporadic CJD and vCJD are all Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathies (TSEs) which are a class of rare brain diseases, some of which affect humans while others affect animals. All TSEs are associated with the accumulation of abnormal prion proteins in the brain. While BSE is found only in cattle, sporadic CJD and vCJD are found in humans. Sporadic CJD and vCJD are distinctly separate brain diseases, each with its own unique clinical and histopathological features. Sporadic CJD was first identified in the 1920s and has a worldwide incidence of approximately one case per million people each year. Variant CJD was first documented in the United Kingdom in 1996 and, as of January 2004, the number of definite and probable cases is 155 people. No indigenous cases of vCJD have been detected in the United States. There are many unknowns about vCJD, including method and amount of exposure, route of transmission and incubation period. Significant steps have been taken in the United States to prevent exposure to the disease.

BSE in the United States Is U.S. beef safe? Yes. The BSE agent is not found in meat – only in central-nervous-system (CSN) tissue, which was removed from the index cow before the meat was processed. Yes. The BSE agent is not found in meat – only in CNS tissue, which was removed from the index cow before the meat was processed. The USDA and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are taking all necessary steps to protect consumers, animal health and the food supply. Even in experimental studies, in which large doses of the disease agent are injected into the brains of cattle, the BSE agent has never been found in muscle meat. In naturally infected cattle exposure to the disease agent is even lower than in the experiments.

BSE in the United States What is Advanced Meat Recovery or AMR? AMR is a technology that removes muscle tissue from the bone of beef carcasses under high pressure without incorporating bone material. AMR product can be labeled as “meat.” AMR is a technology that removes muscle tissue from the bone of beef carcasses under high pressure without incorporating bone material. AMR product can be labeled as “meat.” FSIS has previously established and enforced regulations that prohibit CNS tissue from being included in products labeled as “meat.”

BSE in the United States How does USDA look for BSE? BSE surveillance system was begun in 1990 and is designed to detect BSE if it exists in the United States at a level of one in one million cattle. The system works. BSE surveillance system was begun in 1990 and is designed to detect BSE if it exists in the United States at a level of one in one million cattle. The system works. The index cow was identified as a result of this program. Though the cow showed no signs of neurological disorder, it was non-ambulatory and, therefore, in a high-risk category targeted for BSE surveillance. Last year testing reached an all time high, with more than 47 times the number of cattle recommended by the Office of International Epizootics (OIE) being evaluated. The U.S. system is designed to detect BSE even if it were occurring in less than one in a million cattle.

BSE in the United States What is the status of the index cow’s herd mates and progeny? USDA is conducting an aggressive investigation and has begun a trace-back process to identify all animals associated with the index cow. USDA is conducting an aggressive investigation and has begun a trace-back process to identify all animals associated with the index cow.

What safeguards have been in place to protect the U.S. beef supply? Meat Products What safeguards have been in place to protect the U.S. beef supply? Scientific studies show that the BSE disease agent is not found in beef muscle meats or milk. Scientific studies show that the BSE disease agent is not found in beef muscle meats or milk. It is found in the central nervous system tissues of cattle, such as brain and spinal cord. The CNS tissues of this cow did not enter the human food supply.

Meat Products In 1990, the United States became the first country without BSE within its borders to test cattle for the disease. BSE affects older cattle, typically over 30 months of age. The vast majority of the cattle going to market in the United States are less than 24 months old and would not pose a risk of BSE. In 1990, the United States became the first country without BSE within its borders to test cattle for the disease. The BSE surveillance program has mandated that all cattle with any signs of neurological disorder be tested for BSE and banned from the human food chain. Since 1990, meat from cattle showing signs of neurological disorder has not been processed for human consumption. BSE affects older cattle, typically over 30 months of age. The vast majority of the cattle going to market in the United States are less than 24 months old and would not pose a risk of BSE. Even in European countries where BSE is at epidemic levels, of the 1.6 million cattle less than 30 months of age tested there in 2002, there were no positive cases.

Meat Products In 1997, the United States banned the feeding practices that scientists believe spread this disease. The United States was the first country without BSE within its borders to implement a feed ban. In 1997, the United States banned the feeding practices that scientists believe spread this disease. The United States was the first country without BSE within its borders to implement a feed ban.

Meat Products According to the Harvard University Center for Risk Assessment, the system to detect and eliminate BSE in the United States is effective. The system to detect and eliminate BSE in the United States is effective. The cow in question was quickly identified, the farm of origin was located and quarantined, and products from this animal were identified and traced. The 2001 Harvard University Center for Risk Assessment report said that “measures taken by the U.S. government and industry make the United States robust against the spread of BSE to animals or humans should it be introduced into this country.”

Are additional precautions being taken to protect the beef supply? Beef Safety Are additional precautions being taken to protect the beef supply? Yes. On December 30, 2003, USDA announced additional measures to ensure that U.S. beef remains the safest in the world. USDA has taken these measures out of an “abundance of caution.” Yes. On December 30, 2003, USDA announced additional measures to ensure that U.S. beef remains the safest in the world. USDA has taken these measures out of an “abundance of caution.” New measures include:

USDA has banned all non-ambulatory cattle from the human food chain. Beef Safety New measures include: USDA has banned all non-ambulatory cattle from the human food chain. Any cattle tested for BSE are not allowed into the food supply until tests show that it is safe. USDA has banned all non-ambulatory cattle from the human food chain. Any cattle tested for BSE are not allowed into the food supply until tests show that it is safe.

Beef Safety Specified Risk Material (SRM) from cattle over 30 months of age will be banned from entering the human food supply. The rules for Advanced Meat Recovery will be broadened to further ensure that potentially infective nerve tissue will not be present in human food. Specified Risk Material (SRM) from cattle over 30 months of age will be banned from entering the human food supply. The list of SRM will be consistent with the SRM specified by Canada followings its finding of a case of BSE in May 2003. The rules for Advanced Meat Recovery will be broadened to further ensure that potentially infective nerve tissue will not be present in human food.

What is the beef industry doing to protect the beef supply? Beef Safety What is the beef industry doing to protect the beef supply? NCBA supports the steps taken by USDA. Past industry efforts include, in 1996, NCBA’s petitioning of USDA to implement a ruminant feed ban. NCBA has worked with USDA to implement other precautionary measures. NCBA is in agreement with, and supports, the steps taken by USDA. Past efforts by the beef industry include, in 1996, NCBA’s petitioning of USDA to implement a ruminant feed ban. And NCBA has worked with USDA to implement other precautionary measures.

Beef Safety The beef industry also carries out checkoff-funded producer education regarding BSE and animal health. In addition, checkoff-funded research is focused on understanding and eliminating BSE. The beef industry also carries out checkoff-funded producer education regarding BSE and animal health. In addition, checkoff-funded research focuses on BSE, including determining susceptibility of cattle to BSE and ways to inactivate prions.

Beef Safety Why doesn’t the United States test every animal as is done in other countries? Unlike Europe, the U.S. does not have a BSE epidemic. USDA began a BSE testing program in 1990. The program tests 47 times more cattle than called for by international guidelines. Since the late 1980s, USDA has had a plan to detect BSE if it should occur in the United States. The level of testing far exceeds the level recommended by the OIE, the international animal health governing body. Some European countries, as well as Japan, have instituted extreme testing programs because their countries face a BSE epidemic. Unlike the United States, these countries did not put preventive measures in place and did not begin formal BSE surveillance until late in 2000. Again, the U.S. system is designed to detect BSE even if it is occurring in one in a million cattle. To improve testing, USDA divided the country into eight regions and treats each region as though it were a country with the goal of exceeding international testing requirements for each region. 

Is organic beef safer than conventionally produced food? No. Science does not show that organic beef is safer than conventionally produced beef. No. Science does not show that organic beef is safer than conventionally produced beef. Research shows that BSE is not found in beef muscle cuts or milk, so all U.S. beef—organic or conventionally produced—is safe and wholesome. Since BSE is only spread through contaminated feed, the 1997 feed ban implemented by the FDA protects both the U.S. conventional and organic beef supply. According to USDA, organically produced food is no safer or more nutritious than conventionally produced food. Organic food differs from conventionally produced food in the way it is grown, handled, and processed according to USDA. Beef, regardless of type, is one of the most heavily regulated and stringently tested of all foods. This conclusion is consistent with that of other organizations such as the American Dietetic Association in its position paper on organic foods and the American Council on Science and Health. Consumers have a variety of products to choose from including conventional (or natural), grass-fed, and organic beef. These types of products are defined by a marketing distinction, not a nutritional or safety difference.

Organic Beef Research shows that BSE is not found in beef muscle cuts or milk, so all U.S. beef—organic or conventionally produced—is safe and wholesome. Since BSE is only spread through contaminated feed, the 1997 feed ban implemented by the FDA protects both the U.S. conventional and organic beef supply. Research shows that BSE is not found in beef muscle cuts or milk, so all U.S. beef—organic or conventionally produced—is safe and wholesome. Since BSE is only spread through contaminated feed, the 1997 feed ban implemented by the FDA protects both the U.S. conventional and organic beef supply.

Organic Beef Organically produced food is no safer or more nutritious than conventionally produced food. Organic food differs from conventionally produced food in the way it is grown, handled, and processed. Beef, regardless of type, is one of the most heavily regulated and stringently tested of all foods. According to USDA, organically produced food is no safer or more nutritious than conventionally produced food. Organic food differs from conventionally produced food in the way it is grown, handled, and processed according to USDA. Beef, regardless of type, is one of the most heavily regulated and stringently tested of all foods. This conclusion is consistent with that of other organizations such as the American Dietetic Association in its position paper on organic foods and the American Council on Science and Health.

Organic Beef Consumers have a variety of products to choose from including conventional (or natural), grass-fed, and organic beef. These types of products are defined by a marketing distinction, not a nutritional or safety difference. Consumers have a variety of products to choose from including conventional (or natural), grass-fed, and organic beef. These types of products are defined by a marketing distinction, not a nutritional or safety difference.

For Further Information For accurate and up-to-date information on BSE, please visit www.bseinfo.org and http://aphis.usda.gov/lpa/issues/bse/bse. html.

Producer Funded Efforts BSE information and research efforts are funded with beef checkoff dollars and are managed by the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association on behalf of the Cattlemen’s Beef Board and state beef councils. BSE regulatory and trade efforts are funded by NCBA member dues. BSE information and research efforts are funded with beef checkoff dollars and are managed by the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association on behalf of the Cattlemen’s Beef Board and state beef councils. BSE regulatory and trade efforts are funded by NCBA member dues.