Analysis: FDA Eyes Factor VIII Products (RedNova) By STEVE MITCHELL The Food and Drug Administration is set to examine Friday whether plasma-derived factor VIII products pose a risk of transmitting human mad cow disease and hemophilia patient advocates are urging stricter surveillance and oversight. [News Source]

Analysis: FDA eyes factor VIII products (UPI) WASHINGTON, Dec. 14 (UPI) -- The Food and Drug Administration is set to examine Friday whether plasma-derived factor VIII products pose a risk of transmitting human mad cow disease and hemophilia patient advocates are urging stricter surveillance and oversight. [News Source]

Taco bell sales hit by E. coli outbreak. Taco Bell's sales have taken a hit since more than 70 diners at its East Coast restaurants fell sick with E. coli poisoning. [News Source]

Officials request South Korean beef quarantine standards (Agriculture Online) SEOUL (AP) -- The U.S. has asked for talks with South Korea after Seoul rejected all three shipments of U.S. beef since the end of a three-year ban triggered by fears of mad cow disease, a South Korean official said Thursday. [News Source]

South Korea’s beef with US business (The Christian Science Monitor via Yahoo! News) It was a single bone fragment in nine tons of US beef. Yet the 0.4 centimeter sliver caused South Korea to reject the first US beef shipment in three years, following a "mad cow" disease ban - a ban that mainly maddened US diplomats and agriculture officials who felt the restrictions were a partisan "excuse" to toy with trade. [News Source]

Mad cow disease: Still a concern (Mayo Clinic) Although stricter regulations have reduced the number of cases, mad cow disease hasn't gone away. Stay informed about the disease and its risks. [News Source]