Cattle Intestines Banned From Fear of Mad Cow
Just to be on the safe side, the U.S. Department of Agriculture has banned the consumption of cattle intestines which will also the prevent the consumption of particular ethnic foods that require the intestines to complete the dish.
"The actions we are taking ... are steps to enact additional safeguards to protect the public health," Agriculture Secretary Ann Veneman said.
The ban was enacted out of fear the animal part could carry the abnormal protein thought to cause mad cow disease, or bovine spongiform encephalopathy. By eating foods such as Polish dish “kishka”, Vietnamese “pho tai sach” , or Mexican “tripas”, a person may stand risk of contracting the fatal neurological illness which results from eating contaminated beef.
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USDA has not taken any chances even when it comes to foreign countries. The organization has sent letters this month to 10 beef-exporting countries, saying that shipments would be terminated unless the countries agreed to comply with the new regulations. Australia, Argentina, Canada and Brazil were among those who received the warning.
