Public concerns over food safety are heightened during outbreaks of any disease in food-producing animals. Some of these diseases, however, have few or no implications for the human food chain. Others may carry a potential risk of foodborne transmission, but their impact on human health can be minimised through a combination of animal health control measures and food hygiene practices.

Good nutrition and food safety communication involves science-based information that is presented in context in a non-alarmist manner. One area where this has not always been the case is Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy or BSE. This article looks at the facts about BSE and identifies areas where scientists still don't have the answers.