Source:   Ann Bagel Storck, MEATINGPLACE.COM, 10/15/09
                 

In the wake of a New York Times story earlier this month about E. coli O157:H7 in ground beef that prompted a wave of media attention to the topic, the editorial board of USA Today on Thursday wrote an opinion piece blaming USDA and the beef industry for failing to do enough to protect consumers.

Citing an "intolerable toll" of some 70,000 illnesses and 60 deaths annually from E. coli bacterial infections, USA Today wrote that "government and industry have shown a distressing lack of urgency" in trying to improve the situation.

The newspaper highlighted the problem of some industry resistance to E. coli testing. "The U.S. Department of Agriculture, which has seemed confused as to whether its job is to protect consumers or producers, urges testing by hamburger makers and could require it," USA Today wrote. "But it has not done so, apparently because of industry resistance. It should."

The newspaper also identified the limitations of testing and the possibility of using irradiation to kill bacteria. It called on USDA to "counter the myths" about irradiation "and campaign for its wider use."

To read the full editorial, click here. 

Vilsack responds

Also in the opinion section of Thursday's USA Today was a response from Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack.

Vilsack cited President Obama's Food Safety Working Group and its mission to move the U.S. food safety system into the 21st century. He highlighted several steps USDA has taken recently to improve food safety, including:

• Stepping up meat facility inspections to involve a greater use of sampling
• Appointing a chief medical officer within USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service
• Issuing consolidated field instructions on how to inspect for E. coli O157:H7
• Beginning to test additional components of ground beef such as bench trim for E. coli

Vilsack also mentioned that USDA is "looking at ways to enhance trace-back methods" and will initiate a rulemaking to require all grinders to keep accurate records about ground beef lot sources.

"We will not rest until we have eliminated food-borne illnesses, hospitalizations and deaths," Vilsack concluded.

To read the full response from Vilsack, click here. 

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