BSE Found in Texas
The discovery of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (mad cow disease)
in a cow delivered to a Texas pet food processing plant did
not pose any health or safety risk to pets because the animal
was tested and incinerated rather than used to prepare commercial
pet food, according to the Pet Food Institute (Washington).
The infected animal was dead when it arrived at Champion
Pet Foods Inc. (Waco, Texas). Company officials said their
adherence to U.S. Department of Agriculture testing and disposal
procedures prevented any part of the infected cow from entering
the pet food chain.
The cow, which was born in Texas, was the first U.S.-bred
animal to test positive for BSE, according to the USDA.
According to PFI, U.S. pet food companies are working with
federal and state regulatory agencies to ensure the safety
of prepared pet foods.
However, PFI renewed its call that the U.S. Food and Drug
Administration order the removal of all animal tissues that
could transmit BSE from the animal feed chain. “The
FDA needs to mandate the removal of the same materials from
animal feed, including pet food, as from human foods,”
said Duane Ekedahl, executive director of PFI. “Though
the risk of BSE spreading in the United States is extremely
low, the removal of these materials will further enhance consumer
confidence in the safety of all animal feed and pet food products.
The removal of [specified risk materials] as a source of any
potential BSE infectivity will guarantee consumer confidence
in the pet food they chose to feed their pets and prevent
the possible inclusion of [specified risk materials] in cattle
feed.” [September 2005 PET AGE]
|
