BSE first appeared in British

cattle in the mid-1980s. There have been numerous cases detected in other

countries. A complete list is available from both the U.S. Food and Drug

Administration and the USDA.

Q. Along with eating beef,

are drinking milk and consuming dairy products safe?

A. Yes. BSE has been detected

only in the brain, central nervous system and in part of the intestine

of affected cattle. No BSE infectivity has been detected in milk or muscle

tissue, which is what we eat as beef. In fact, extensive testing has revealed

that milk, including milk from cows infected with BSE, does not contain

the infective agent. Thus, according to the World Health Organization

(WHO), milk and milk products, such as yogurt, ice cream, or cheese, even

in countries with high incidence of BSE, can be safely consumed.

Q. Do I need to change my eating

habits?

A. Based on what is currently

known about the human form of BSE and how it may be transmitted to humans,

National Institutes of Health researchers and the Secretary of Agriculture

agree that there is no reason to change dietary habits.

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