Mmmm...E Coli
While scientists are not sure why, they nevertheless have observed that April through September is considered the “high prevalence” season for EColi 0157 – the toxin-producing bacteria that can cause kidney failure and death.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that there are as many as 70,000 victims of E. coli every year. So, in an effort to combat this year, the USDA will take more beef samples – up to four times a month (that’s 48 times a year) – at plants that produce more than 250,000 pounds a day and less frequently at smaller plants.
Last year, they collected only 24 samples from each producer. Sounds good, right? Well, not so fast. Although it looks like a step in the right direction, some food safety advocates think it’s’ not enough The USDA does not require meat processors to hold the beef while the test results come back – so they are free to send the meat into the marketplace not knowing if contamination exists or not.
So, no matter how many tests are performed, if a lot of beef is contaminated, it can still get into the food supply. This is unacceptable. The industry must take more initiative to ensure its meat is free from contamination. If not, the government should step in with more stringent regulations.
Richard J. Arsenault, 2011
