This blog explores the nature of BSE and TSE, the regulations put in place to manage their risks, and what businesses and manufacturers must do to remain compliant and safeguard public health.
Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE), commonly known as “mad cow disease,” and other Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathies (TSEs) are prion diseases that have impacted global agriculture, trade, and consumer safety.
TSEs are a group of progressive, fatal diseases affecting the brain and nervous system in humans and animals. These diseases result in long incubation periods and neurodegenerative symptoms, ultimately leading to death. Prions, the infectious proteins responsible for TSEs, alter the structure of normal proteins in the brain, causing them to accumulate in abnormal forms that damage brain tissue.
Key types of TSEs include:
Of particular concern is Variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (vCJD), a form of CJD believed to be caused by consuming meat contaminated with BSE prions. This form of TSE in humans first came to light during the BSE crisis, raising alarms about the potential zoonotic (animal-to-human) transmission of prion diseases.
BSE and TSE outbreaks can significantly impact both the agricultural and food industries. The emergence of BSE led to:
Due to the risk of zoonotic transmission, industries utilizing animal by-products – such as pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and medical devices -must adhere to strict guidelines to prevent prion contamination.
Although not typically associated with prion diseases, the electronics industry faces indirect risks from BSE/TSE due to animal-derived materials in some electronic components and manufacturing processes.
Animal-based substances, such as gelatin (used in certain adhesives or coatings) or tallow (used as a processing agent in circuit boards), can pose potential prion contamination risks if sourced from BSE-affected animals.
As a result, electronics companies are increasingly scrutinizing their supply chains. Further, they opt for alternative, synthetic materials to avoid regulatory and health-related issues.
Compliance with BSE and TSE regulations is crucial, especially for companies exporting to regions with stringent animal product regulations. Indeed, failure to meet these standards can restrict market access and damage brand reputation.
Therefore, electronics manufacturers are encouraged to perform thorough risk assessments and maintain transparent documentation for animal-derived materials used in their products to ensure safety and regulatory compliance.
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To control the spread of BSE and TSEs, regulatory bodies across the globe have implemented several key measures:
Industries that manufacture products containing animal-derived materials face stringent compliance requirements. To manage BSE and TSE risks effectively, companies must adopt the following best practices:
The impact of BSE and TSEs has reshaped industries and prompted stringent regulatory frameworks to manage prion risks. For businesses, compliance is not only a matter of regulatory necessity. It is also essential for maintaining consumer trust and accessing global markets. By adopting best practices in supplier auditing, risk assessment, traceability, and transparency, companies can mitigate the risks associated with BSE and TSEs. These measures are integral to ensuring safety and enhancing resilience in industries reliant on animal-derived materials, providing the necessary safeguards to prevent another widespread crisis like the BSE outbreak of the 1980s.
BSE and TSE regulations remind us of the need for vigilance and responsibility in industries that handle animal products. With ongoing advancements in prion research, diagnostic technology, and regulatory policies, companies have better tools than ever to protect public health and uphold compliance.
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