Humane Society sues FDA over "downer cows"

The American Humane Society has filed a lawsuit against the Food and Drug Administration over a loophole in federal law that allowed beef from "downer cows" to enter the US food supply.

A downer cow is a cow that cannot walk. In some cases, this can be a symptom of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), the so-called mad cow disease, that can be fatal when transmitted to humans through the food supply.

The suit came in response to a recall of 143 million pounds of contaminated beef after plant workers in a California beef processing plan were videotaped forcing unfit cattle into the slaughterhouse.

Cows at the plant had passed USDA inspection, but could not walk at the time they were forced into the slaughterhouse.

In a related story, Canadian officials have confirmed the 12th case of BSE in Canada since 2003.

Consumer advocates have raised concerns about lax monitoring that includes inspection of only a small fraction of beef sold in the United States.

No cases have been reported in Oregon to date.