If the new variant of CJD is related to exposure to BSE, this exposure is likely to have been between 1982 and late 1989, and the age range of the cases does not suggest that those who were children at that time were at any greater risk than young adults. Taking all the above into account it concludes that if human infection with the BSE agent occurs, infants and children are not likely to be more susceptible to that infection than are adults. This could be due to different age-related dietary habits, to reduced susceptibility in this group, or to the unrecognised occurrence of this variant of the disease in older age groups especially those in which dementia is more prevalent. It concludes that, in its judgement, if human infection with the BSE agent occurs, none of these groups is likely to have any increased susceptibility to infection. The Committee is aware that the public want to be reassured, most especially about the risks to the younger generation.
Parents are naturally concerned about the risks to their own children.
It is important to be aware that many foods are associated with health risks, and that changing from beef to non-beef products is not necessarily without risk. Other bones do not need to be treated as SBO if they can be separated from the vertebral column, without cross contamination. The Committee asked Government to ensure that the relevant authorities have the necessary statutory authority to enforce fully these recommendations and the existing provisions. It concluded that this material was safe for use in pharmaceutical and medical devices as well as food, given the large reduction in theoretical infectivity in the production of gelatin. It noted that the MCA will be reviewing the use of gelatin and tallow on 1 May 1996.