| The discovery of a Holstein cow in the Pacific | | | | species |
| Northwest with Mad Cow Disease made many | | | | - Gelatin found in the hooves of cattle and other |
| consumers put down that last bite of steak. After | | | | species |
| all, it's hard to tell what's in beef or dairy products | | | | - Fats, oils, grease, and tallow from cattle and |
| without a high level of oversight. Mad Cow | | | | other species |
| Disease is passed through animal byproducts used | | | | - Milk and milk protein |
| in feeding. As virtually every commercially raised | | | | - Rendered pork protein |
| animal is fed with other animal byproducts of | | | | - Rendered horse protein |
| some kind, it is hard to determine if and when | | | | - Rendered poultry wastes |
| another case of Mad Cow Disease might strike. | | | | - Poultry manure which may include cattle brain |
| The only beef that can be trusted is the certified | | | | and spinal tissue found in chicken feed |
| organic variety. There is no mad cow disease to | | | | - Human food wastes which may contain beef |
| be found in organic beef. | | | | scraps |
| Organic Beef | | | | The food for cows raised by organically certified |
| To be certified organic, beef producers must | | | | beef manufacturers is purely vegetarian. Section |
| follow a rigorous regime of documentation and | | | | 205.236.c of the National Organic Program |
| care when raising and preparing beef products for | | | | regulations requires that producers keep accurate |
| the market. A cow certified organic in the United | | | | and up to date records of the origins of the |
| States is raised organically from the third | | | | animals and code 205.103 requires the producer to |
| trimester before birth through slaughter. This rule | | | | maintain complete and timely records regarding |
| applies only to beef raised for slaughter. Beef | | | | compliance with the organic regulations. This |
| used in organic dairy might be raised organically | | | | means producers must document every food |
| from a period after birth allowing a time in the | | | | item they feed to their cows as well as any |
| animal's life where contamination might occur. This | | | | medications given to the animal. |
| was the case in Europe when a handful of cows | | | | Producers must disclose the amount and source |
| on organic farm became ill with Mad Cow Disease. | | | | of the animal feed, and organic cattle feed mills |
| Those cows had come to the organic farm after | | | | are under just as much scrutiny. There are no |
| spending time elsewhere where commercial feed | | | | animal byproducts in organic feed and laws |
| was used. | | | | prevent feed mills from even mixing organic food |
| The Organic Beef Diet | | | | in the same setting as non-organic. The feed mill |
| While it is not allowed for commercially raised | | | | which creates both products must maintain a |
| cattle to eat the brain or spinal tissue of other | | | | separation between types of feed and have |
| mammals, it is still allowable by the government to | | | | documentation to back up the claims. The careful |
| include other animal by-products in feed for these | | | | record keeping and scrutiny by the government is |
| non-organic creatures including: | | | | your best option when it comes to feeling at ease |
| - Blood and blood products from cattle and other | | | | with your next steak or hamburger. |