Beef from cows that have tested positive for bovine tuberculosis (bTB) is sold for human consumption in the United Kindgom, The Sunday Times reported this weekend. While major meat retailers such as Tesco reject product from cows with bTB, the federal Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) sells the beef to some caterers and food processors who supply schools, hospitals and the military, reported the Times Saturday. Defra confirmed that such meat is sold for human consumption, but said it is subject for further inspection first. “All meat from cattle slaughtered due to bovine TB must undergo rigorous food safety checks before it can be passed fit for consumption,” said a Defra spokeswoman. “The Food Standards Agency has confirmed there are no known cases where TB has been transmitted through eating meat and the risk of infection from eating meat, even if raw or undercooked, remains extremely low.” Tuberculosis bacteria is killed by cooking meat. However, evidence has shown that the bacteria can be transmitted to humans when handling raw meat. “Cooking this meat would be an additional safety step, but we would emphasise the risk even before cooking is very low,” said the Defra spokeswoman. The beef from cows with bTB sold in the UK is not marked to differentiate it from other beef, reported the Times. The UK badger population is thought to contribute to the transmission of bTB among cows. Tens of thousands of badgers have been culled in an attempt to curb the spread of the disease.
The News Desk team at Food Safety News covers breaking developments, regulatory updates, recalls, and key topics shaping food safety today. These articles are produced collaboratively by our editorial staff.
An analysis of official controls in Norway and Iceland has revealed effective oversight overall with some recurring weaknesses.
Norway and Iceland are part of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA)
A sick food handler likely contaminated items served at an event in Australia despite preparing food after symptoms had stopped, according to researchers.
An outbreak of gastrointestinal illness was reported
The number of outbreaks in Austria has stayed close to the same level in 2025 but they caused more illnesses than the year before, according to recently released statistics.
In
The cost of food fraud in the United Kingdom could be as much as £2 billion ($2.7 billion) per year, according to researchers.
Research from the University of Portsmouth
The Hampton Grocers Inc. of Montauk, NY, is recalling Lacnola Lactation Granola because it has the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella.
Lacnola Lactation Granola was distributed nationwide through mail
Lidl US is recalling one lot of Vitasia Asian Style Wok Spice Mix because it has the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella.
This recall was initiated after routine quality
Oma's Pride of Avon, CT, is recalling Woof Complete Canine Chicken Recipe in 6-pound bags because it is contaminated with Salmonella.
The recall was initiated after FDA
Kettle Cuisine LLC of Savage, MD, is recalling Marketside Tomato Bisque Soup Kit – 14oz (397g) because the product has the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.
The recall is
