E. Coli Beef Recall Expands; Illnesses Now Linked to Recalled Beef

by: Jill Richardson

Sun Jun 28, 2009 at 13:45:15 PM PDT

The last time I reported on this, no known illnesses were associated with this recall. Now the CDC believes there are at least 18 cases linked to this outbreak. And note that while the FDA stands to get a badly-needed food safety upgrade in the near future, this recall falls under the USDA, not the FDA. There seems to be no movement within Congress right now to make any changes at the USDA to address food safety.

A Food Safety Update: 41,000 Lbs of Beef Recalled [UPDATED]

by: Jill Richardson

Thu Jun 25, 2009 at 13:52:39 PM PDT

JBS Swift is recalling 41,280 lbs of beef "due to possible E. coli contamination." Just another reminder that food safety reform is badly needed in this country. Meanwhile the Nestle Tollhouse Cookie Dough recall is still in the news. 70 people are sick; 30 hospitalized. The confirmed cases of E. coli occurred in 28 states. And - just a reminder - there are always many more cases of foodborne illness than the number the CDC is able to confirm.

So how about that food safety reform?? Well, the Food Safety Enhancement Act has passed the House Energy & Commerce Committee, which means it is ready to be voted on. Now the Speaker (Nancy Pelosi) needs to bring it to the floor for a vote. Congress is on recess next week, which means it's a GREAT time to call or visit your representative's district office to tell them you want them to urge the Speaker to bring the food safety bill up for a vote ASAP as soon as Congress is back in session after the 4th of July. (The bill could still use some improving to make it less burdensome to small producers... I'd like to see them drop the part of the bill that instructs the FDA to tell farmers how to safely grow and harvest food, and to exempt the smallest food facilities from the $500 annual fee... you might want to mention that to your Congresscritter too.)

So - assuming that happens - the FDA is going to get a badly needed makeover. But what about the USDA? So far... nothing. The beef E. coli recall falls under the USDA, but in a recent hearing, the meat industry unequivocally told the House Ag Committee that no new regulations were needed because their products were already safe and current oversight was enough. Let's hope those aren't famous last words. The fact of the matter is that as long as we produce animal products in filthy, crowded conditions and slaughter and process animals at mind-boggling speeds, making it difficult for workers to keep themselves and the meat they are working with safe, we are leaving ourselves open to more outbreaks like this one and like the more deadly outbreaks of years past.

Beef Industry Merger To Be Denied by Government

by: Jill Richardson

Mon Oct 20, 2008 at 23:22:15 PM PDT

It seems that the Smithfield merger is a go, but the National Beef merger is not. Why? Because the Department of Justice came to the same conclusion I (and many others) did:

The DOJ concluded that combining JBS-Swift and National Beef, the third- and fourth-largest U.S. beef packers, respectively, would result in lower prices paid to cattle suppliers and higher beef prices for consumers. In court documents, the department deal also would eliminate a "competitively significant" packer and place more than 80 percent of domestic cattle slaughter capacity in the hands of three companies: JBS, Tyson Foods Inc. and Cargill Inc., the department said.

A DOJ spokesman said the department is not challenging JBS's proposed purchase of Smithfield Beef Group, the nation's fifth-largest beef packer, or the Five Rivers cattle feeding operation.