What specific historical disease risk is linked to feeding Mammalian Meat and Bone Meal (MBM) to cattle?

Answer

Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE)

Meat and Bone Meal (MBM) is an ingredient derived from the rendering industry, rich in protein and fat, and historically used to enhance the amino acid profile in animal feeds. The critical risk associated with feeding MBM derived from mammals to ruminants, specifically cattle, is the potential transmission of Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathies (TSEs), the most notorious of which is Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE). Although feeding mammalian MBM to ruminants is now prohibited in many jurisdictions, this historical link highlights a severe danger inherent in consuming feeds containing animal byproducts due to prion contamination risks, a risk entirely absent in simple harvested grains.

What specific historical disease risk is linked to feeding Mammalian Meat and Bone Meal (MBM) to cattle?
animalSafetynutritionconsumptionanimal feed