USDA-FSIS Vows to Take Aggressive Action to Combat E. coli
The USDA-FSIS issued a press release today entitled “FSIS Takes Aggressive Actions To Combat E. Coli O157:H7.” This confirms that the USDA-FSIS has not been taking aggressive action to combat E. coli O157:H7. In a recent article in The New York Times, it was brought to light that FSIS inspectors were at the Topps Meat Corporation plant (the one responsible for almost 22 million pounds of E. coli-contaminated hamburgers) for one to two hours a day and never cited Topps for unsafe practices. At least 40 people became ill because of this lack of aggression on the part of the FSIS. It is time the FSIS got aggressive.
Below is the USDA-FSIS press release:
FSIS Takes Aggressive Actions To Combat E. Coli O157:H7
WASHINGTON, Oct. 23, 2007 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) today announced new, ongoing and upcoming actions to protect public health against the risk of E. coli O157:H7, including expanded testing and more rapid recalls. [E. coli Lawyer: Why wasn't this done years ago?] FSIS also provided an update on stepped-up efforts initiated in the spring and summer of 2007.
“We want the American consumer to know that FSIS has taken a number of aggressive actions to respond to a recent increase in E. coli O157:H7 recalls and illnesses associated with this pathogen and we are further expanding these efforts,” said Under Secretary for Food Safety Dr. Richard A. Raymond.
In June 2007, FSIS identified an increased number of E. coli O157:H7 positive tests in beef, as well as a larger number of recalls and illnesses caused by this pathogen than in recent years. [E. coli Lawyer: Recalls of about 28 million pounds of ground beef and dozens of confirmed cases of E. coli O157:H7.] Immediately, the agency took a number of steps. For example, FSIS increased the number of tests of ground beef for E. coli O157:H7 by more than 75 percent in July and began planning for a new follow-up testing program for federally inspected beef plants that had positive tests for E. coli O157:H7. Additionally, FSIS accelerated implementation of initiatives scheduled for spring 2008 in response to concerns about increased positives of E. coli O157:H7. FSIS accelerated its plans to review suppliers and processors based on a new checklist, once inspection program personnel complete specialized training, which begins next week.
“Lessons learned from a number of recalls including the recent Topps recall emphasized the need for us to do even more to strengthen our policies and programs,” said Raymond. “We also realized that to make risk-based inspection in processing most effective, we need to strengthen our database that will support that system.”
FSIS determined steps were also needed to ensure that inspection program personnel and the industry fully understand the nature of the challenge presented by E. coli O157:H7. The agency is ensuring that suppliers, processors and FSIS will be able to identify an emerging problem as early as possible and to prevent contaminated product from entering commerce.
On Oct. 4, FSIS publicly outlined the timeline of the Topps recall, the preliminary findings from its investigation of the Topps recall, actions already taken by the agency and further steps to reduce E. coli 0157:H7. The agency has also outlined these actions for consumer and industry organizations and sought their support in working together to control this pathogen.
Click here for the full text of the FSIS press release regarding E. coli O157:H7.
It is in the best interests of the entire meat industry to clean up their act and encourage aggressive action by the USDA-FSIS. At some point consumers are going to forgo hamburgers and learn to like rice and beans.
