bse still

Untested bullock enters the food supply

The Agency has been notified that meat from a bullock aged over 48 months has entered the food supply without being tested for BSE.
As specified risk material (SRM) was removed and it is unlikely that the bullock was infected with BSE, any risk to human health is extremely low. SRM is the parts of the carcass at risk of carrying BSE infectivity.
However, BSE testing is mandatory for cattle slaughtered for human consumption at over 48 months of age.
The bullock was 56 days past the 48 month age limit and slaughtered on 13 May at P J Hayman & Sons abattoir in Ottery St Mary, Devon.
The error was discovered on 2 June in the course of routine official checks of documentary records. By then, the carcass had left the premises and subsequent checks indicate that the affected meat is no longer in the food supply chain.