USDA Proposes Rule to Keep Sick Cows Out of Food Chain

Posted by David R. Wetzel Sep 2, 2008

I do not know if this scares you, but it sure scares me.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has proposed a rule banning cows too sick to stand from the human food supply.

This new rule is a result of concern after the largest beef product recall in U.S. history - 143 million pounds.

If you are like me, you probably figured this was already the case. However it appears that this is not the case. Regardless of how sick a cow (called downer cows) is at slaughter, it is destined for our dinner tables.

The good thing is that cows determined to be too sick are turned into commercial pet food.

Currently sick cows are evaluated by the slaughter house, the judgement is strictly up to them and not government inspectors. Of course the almighty dollar overrides all their decisions.

The problem has risen from the overlapping jurisdictions of the US Department of Agriculture and Food and Drug Administration. They are constantly at odds with each other regarding who controls oversight over cow meat production. It appears both have issues.

This new rule sounds like common sense and long overdue. However, like all government rule decisions, this rule is open to public comment through September 29, 2008. This gives the lobbyiest time to spread their opinion.

If you would like to let your voice be heard, contact your congressman/woman to let them know your views.

I think it may be time to eat more pork, fish, and chicken, but then again...!