US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents discovered two cow dung cakes inside the luggage of an Air India passenger arriving at Washington Dulles International Airport. According to the CBP, "cow dung is reported to be a vital energy and cooking source in some parts of the world. Cow dung has also been reportedly used as a skin detoxifier, an antimicrobial, and as a fertilizer. Despite these alleged benefits, cow dung from India is prohibited due to the potential introduction of Foot and Mouth disease."
Meanwhile, physicians in India are warning against using cow waste as protection against COVID-19. From Reuters:
"There is no concrete scientific evidence that cow dung or urine work to boost immunity against COVID-19, it is based entirely on belief," said Dr JA Jayalal, national president at the Indian Medical Association.
"There are also health risks involved in smearing or consuming these products – other diseases can spread from the animal to humans."
