Connecticut Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro has introduced the E. coli Traceability and Eradication Act — a bill that would require stricter testing procedures for meat and processing facilities.
Rep. DeLauro says in a press release that the goal is to completely eradicate dangerous Shiga toxin-producing E. coli bacteria and establish a tracking procedure that will enable the USDA to implement faster recalls.
E. coli O157:H7, the most common Shiga toxin-producing bacteria, already is banned by the federal government in ground beef and inspections for it are part of the USDA’s regulatory framework to control pathogens.
“By implementing stricter and more comprehensive testing of meat, slaughterhouses, and grinding facilities, this critical legislation will ensure that our food supply is safer,” the congresswoman said.
The proposed legislation also is meant to deter an industry practice whereby beef processors have blackballed grinding plants that test incoming trim for E. coli. The practice was exposed last year in a Pulitzer Prize-winning story by the New York Times.
Additionally, the legislation will create a tracing protocol that will enable the USDA to track any contaminated meat or meat products, leading to faster recalls and less hazard to consumers. For facilities that are found to be producing contaminated meat, the USDA will test their products for 15 consecutive days following the positive test, DeLauro’s press release said.
An estimated 57,000 Americans suffer E. coli infections each year. In 5 to 15 percent of cases, patients develop life-threatening hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), the leading cause of kidney failure in children worldwide.
Said DeLauro: “Our current food safety system is not doing its job — contaminated meat is still hitting the shelves, and people are still getting sick. This legislation will establish higher standards for food safety and protect the public health.”
