The changes reflect recent findings from the growing body of science that more accurately identifies the risks and measures required to protect consumers from variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (vCJD) the human disease which has been linked to eating beef offal containing the BSE agent.

"The old measures, in place since 1996 and adopted internationally as well as by New Zealand, reflected a precautionary approach which was taken during a time of uncertainty," explains Tim Knox, NZFSA's New Zealand Standards Director.

"However, in the intervening years much has been learned about BSE and the risks to human health which has increased our understanding and virtually eliminated the risk of consumers contacting vCJD."

Source: Scoop