Fact Sheet on Eating Beef

"Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE), or Mad Cow Disease, is a disorder that has been in the news quite a bit over the past fifteen years. Researchers think it is caused by an unusually shaped protein (a prion), which is an abnormal form of a normal protein, that not only causes cows to sicken and die, but might also cause a human disease called Variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (vCJD)" (Sizer, Whitney, 2008). BSE affects the nervous system of the cows and is transmitted through infected tissue of the animals that gets into our food. When we eat this infected meat we get vCJD, which can be fatal.You don't have to stop eating beef, but you can take precautions to stay safe and not get sick. Here are some ways you can be safe when eating beef, both at home in the United States and abroad.

1. Always make sure that your beef is well-cooked. Cooking can kill some bacteria that is carried in meat, although not all. Don't leave any pink, even if you like it that way.

2. To be sure a restaurant is safe that you plan on eating at do some research on-line prior to your visit. Using google may pop up some health inspection issues with your favorite place, better safe than sorry.

3. You can always visit the CDC's (Center for Disease Control) website for the latest news on cases and outbreak in your area or an area where you might be visiting. This is your best bet for the most up-to-date, and correct, information available.

4. Just because it's only the meat that gets infected don't think that everything else is safe. Vegetables and fruits, and other foods, can carry bacteria transferred from the meats, so be sure to wash all your food properly before ingesting. The rule to live by with your fruits and vegetables is to wash them three times before you eat them. This will ensure that they are clean, bacteria free and better for your body.

5. If you start feeling any symptoms of illness, like vomiting, diarrhea or stomach cramps, after something you have eaten make sure to go immediately to the doctor or emergency room. It might just be a mild case of food poisoning, but it could also be something much worse and early detection can save lives.

The best way to stay safe is to be informed and keep your eyes open. If you are unsure of the safety of any food just don't eat it.

References

Sizer, F. and Whitney, E. (2008). Nutrition: The Science of Eating. Cengage Learning.

CDC.gov. On-line website. [retrieved September 8, 2009]