E. coli Traceability and Eradication Legislation Proposed
Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.) introduced legislation Thursday that would tighten testing regulations on meat and meat processing facilities. The goal of the E. coli Traceability and Eradication Act is to completely eradicate the dangerous Shiga toxin-producing E. coli bacteria, according to the announcement, and to establish tracking procedures meant to speed up the recall process if contaminated foods reach store shelves.
Some of the bill’s provisions include:
- Facilities will have to test ground beef and beef trim multiple times throughout the manufacturing process by an independent testing facility certified by the USDA.
- Facilities found to be producing unsafe products for three consecutive days or ten days in a year will have their company name posted on a list of safety offenders.
- A tracing protocol would be created for the USDA to track contaminated meat products.
- Facilities found producing contaminated meat products must have their products tested by the USDA for 15 consecutive days following the positive contamination test results.
Congresswoman DeLauro pointed out several other important features of the bill:
“Because this bill will require processors to test incoming beef trim, it would cease the current industry practice of processors being blackballed by their suppliers. Another important component of this bill is that, when E. coli is detected at a facility, it would require USDA to establish a traceback procedure all the way back to the original source of the contamination. This will allow USDA to recall products more quickly and prevent additional illnesses during an outbreak. 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.”
Minneapoils-based food safety lawyer Fred Pritzker commended DeLauro’s efforts and confirmed the need for more extensive testing and tighter regulations on American meat producers. “I see the reality of E. coli food poisoning cases every day. I represent people whose lives have been irreparably damaged by this dangerous pathogen. The consequences are too great for our policymakers to sit by the sidelines on this issue, and Rep. DeLauro has clearly recognized that.”
Tags: E. coli Prevention, shiga toxin
