FDA Reopens Comment Period for BSE-Related Rule

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has reopened the comment period for its 2005 interim final rule on the “Use of Materials Derived From Cattle in Human Food and Cosmetics,” which prohibited the use of certain cow components to prevent the potential risk of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) in human food and cosmetics. The interim final rule stated that a cow’s small intestine was safe for use in human food and cosmetics provided the distal ileum was removed. According to the agency, new scientific data confirms the presence of low levels of BSE in other parts of the cow’s intestine, including the proximal ileum. Interested parties can comment on the new studies until May 13, 2013. See Federal Register, March 4, 2013.