Mad Cow disease is a separate disease in Europe that is thought to have crossed the species barrier from sheep to cattle. It is not a virus nor bacterial and affects the central nervous system. The livestock industry and USDA have taken steps to prevent the potential spread of the disease through the feed system and no cases have been reported in the United States. The food system is safe in the United States and you can enjoy beef and dairy products all summer. As an example, every truckload of milk is sampled every day for possible contamination and purity.
Inspectors visit every farm every year to assure quality standards.
All milk products produced in the United States are made from pasteurized milk, which destroys any harmful bacteria. Follow good food safety practices in your home, cook you meats well and enjoy the summer picnics and ice cream specials.