The federal government continues mandatory inspection, testing and food safety protections which provide for such an abundant and safe food supply. Other nations may not have properly prepared for the public’s health against any threat to the food supply.
One issue that originated in Europe is bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), also known as Mad Cow Disease. Mad Cow Disease can be characterized as a brain deterioration disease among bovine species. In short, feed used for these animals that has been mixed with bone meal from infected animals has a risk of infecting the live animal, and potentially infecting the end product, meat and other processed consumer products. The United States has been successful in implementing a ban on imported ruminants from Europe since 1989-- three years since the first outbreak of Mad Cow Disease in Europe. With the death of over 80 Europeans who contracted the human form of BSE, Creutzfeld-Jakob Disease (CJD), the issue now threatens to cross international waters and challenge the United States status of a BSE-free marketplace.
This session will not only provide a history of BSE, but will also develop a risk management and communications model should BSE be found in the U.S. food supply. The attendee will learn how best to characterize the risks associated with BSE and how and when to effectively communicate them to consumers.
See ific.org
Learning Objectives: At the end of this educational session the attendees will be able to:
Keywords: Emerging Health Issues, Nutrition
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: N/A
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.