The USDA confirmed yesterday that the US' 4th instance of BSE bovine spongiform encephalopathy was reported in an mature dairy cow located in central California. The reported cow, who was tested and quarantined at a rendering production line, is assumed to be 5 years old.
USDA's Chief Veterinary Officer, Dr John Clifford, reported the case as "atypical" which means that the animal didn't catch BSE from contaminated animal feed or animal feed ingredients, and was rather a result of a random mutation.
American Feed Industry Association (AFIA) president and chief executive officer, Joel G. Newman, mentioned, "FDA's feed mill/renderer inspection program on the mammalian feed ban continues to work very well. Data from a recent FDA report shows that firms continue to demonstrate over 99 percent compliance with the ban."
The February report released from FDA's centre for Veterinary Medicine states that as of January 28, 2012, the FDA had carried out in excess of 93,000 inspections since beginning them in 1997.
Newman concluded by stating "There are two important items to emphasize, first the targeted surveillance system is working and secondly the food supply is safe".
