A rare form of mad cow disease was found in Alabama in an 11-year-old cow during a routine screening at a livestock market. 

John McMillan, the Alabama Agriculture commissioner confirmed the cow as infected and it was not sent to slaughter. The infected meat never entered the food chain. 

State officials say this was a “rare and spontaneous” case of the disease. According to the FDA, mad cow disease can spread to cows and other livestock animals through processed feed containing traces of cows previously infected. Therefore, consumers who still hold concern should buy only beef labeled “grass-fed only” or “organic.”