HHS to Ban Certain Glandulars

HHS to Ban Certain Glandulars

WASHINGTONThe Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)announced Jan. 27 it intends to ban bovine-derived material in order to protectAmericans from bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE, also known as mad cowdisease). This measure will affect the food, dietary supplement and cosmeticindustries.

HHS, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Food and DrugAdministration (FDA) have been putting measures in place since 1989 to controlthe presence of BSE in the United States, including banning mammalian proteinfeed to cattle herds.

According to HHS, the new safeguards are science-based and further bolsterthe governments standing safeguards. In particular, FDA will publish interimfinal rules that will take effect immediately upon publication which ban certainanimal by-products from human food. These materials include those from downercattle (lame animals), dead cattle and materials from the brain, skull, eyes andspinal cord of cattle 30 months and older. These body parts are known to harborthe highest concentrations of the agent that causes BSE.

The impact on the supplement industry is expected to be negligible. Forexample, American Laboratories, an Omaha, Neb., supplier of glandular products,once bought bovine-derived brains and eyes for use in supplements. Now, itcontinues to offer porcine alternatives. The overall business of bovinebrains and eyes is miniscule compared to our core competency, enzymes, saidKenny Soejoto, executive vice president of American Labs. Actually, one ofthe most popular glandular products is liver, which isnt one of theingredients HHS has said is banned. In fact, the ingredients listed in the HHSpress release make up a minimal part of the glandular industry.

Softgels are another area where animal by-products are used, but gelatingarneredfrom cartilage, which is not an SRMis used to make these casings.

More information on the ban can be found at www.hhs.gov/news/press/2004pres/20040126.html.