Downer Cows Banned

Downer cows have been permanently removed from the country's food system. In his March 14 radio and video address, President Obama said, "As part of our commitment to public health, our Agriculture Department is closing a loophole in the system to ensure that diseased cows don't find their way into the food supply,"

The ban will protect consumers from the potential of mad cow disease as well as food poisoning from bacterial infections such as E.coli.

Prior to the government's move, downer cows were allowed if an animal collapsed after inspection. A Humane Society investigation exposed workers abusing downer cows in order to push them to slaughter. Public outrage helped turn the tide on the practice.

To protect the public from additional food poisoning outbreaks, such as the recent salmonella outbreak from peanuts, President Obama also created a food Safety Working Group to work with the government's varied food safety initiatives and offer recommendations for a more efficient food system.