APHIS Releases Final Report on Calif. Mad Cow Case
The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service released its final report on the case of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE, aka mad cow disease) discovered in California in April. According to the report, the results of APHIS’ investigation confirmed that at no time was the U.S. food supply or human health at risk, and that the U.S.’s longstanding system of interlocking safeguards against BSE continues to be effective.
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As a result of on-the-ground investigation and records review, the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) identified only one live offspring of the cow, which was euthanized and found to be negative for BSE. No birth cohorts of the index animal were found alive, APHIS said. In conjunction with USDA’s investigation, the Food and Drug Administration and CDFA conducted an extensive feed investigation, the report said. Twelve feed suppliers were identified to the index premises; one of which was no longer in business. The remaining 11 were found to be in compliance with FDA and CDFA regulations and requirements. The final report is available here.
(See ITT's Online Archives 12042527 for summary of USDA's confirmation of the outbreak, and 12052107 for summary of APHIS' May progress report on the investigation.)