The Agriculture Department confirmed Tuesday that a case of mad-cow disease had been discovered in California, but said the diseased animal had not entered the food chain. A case of bovine spongiform encephalopathy, as it is known scientifically, was found in a California dairy cow, but authorities said carnivores need not worry. According to USDA Chief Veterinary Officer John Clifford, the nation’s supply of beef has not been tainted. This is the fourth confirmed case of the disease in the U.S.
