Source:  Rita Jane Gabbett, MEATINGPLACE.COM, 12/28/09

Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.) on Monday called for labels identifying mechanically tenderized beef and pork products in the wake of National Steak and Poultry's recent recall. 

The recall followed USDA's determination of an association between non-intact steaks (blade tenderized prior to further processing) and illnesses in Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, South Dakota and Washington.

"USDA has been aware of the E. coli risks associated with mechanically tenderized steaks as early as 1999, but has refused to act," DeLauro said in statement. "The USDA should move immediately to require labeling that clearly identifies mechanically tenderized beef and pork products for all processing facilities, retailers and consumers. Restaurants, grocery stores, and consumers should be made fully aware of the products they are receiving so they can assure that they are cooked at the appropriate temperature.

Why no food safety czar?

DeLauro also took the opportunity to chastise the administration for leaving the top food safety post at USDA vacant for nearly a year.

"This outbreak also highlights the need for the Obama Administration to appoint immediately a strong and effective leader to be undersecretary for food safety at USDA," she said. "This position has been vacant for far too long and it is preventing the department from acting on critical food safety issues such as this one."