The Mad Cow Disease scandal

The Mad Cow Disease scandal involved the outbreak of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) in cattle, caused by eating contaminated feed containing infected slaughterhouse remains. Humans who consumed infected beef risked developing variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (vCJD), a fatal brain disorder. The scandal emerged in the 1980s and 1990s, prompting stricter regulations on animal feed, enhanced food safety measures, and public concern about meat consumption. It highlighted risks in the food supply chain and led to international trade restrictions to prevent spread. The crisis underscored the importance of rigorous disease control and monitoring in agriculture and food industries.