Specified risk materials

Specified risk materials (SRMs) are the parts of ruminant animal most likely to be contaminated with TSE prions. These can include brains, eyes, spinal cord, and other organs. The exact definition varies by jurisdiction.

In the EU, SRMs are carefully excluded from the human and animal food chain. Canada has passed a measure that will limit the uses of SRMs beginning July 2007. The US currently does not have any regulations regarding SRMs, but such regulation is under consideration by the FDA.

Rules regarding the use of SRMs are intended to prevent the spread of TSE diseases, including mad cow disease.