USDA Lax on E. Coli Strain Linked to Beef Recall

[Renew Deal]

Source: AOL

(Aug. 30) -- A strain of E. coli that the government doesn't regulate has already sickened hamburger eaters in two states.

And federal food safety detectives say more cases may be identified as we approach the summer's last big weekend for picnics and barbecues.

The supplier, Cargill Meat Solutions Corp. in Wyalusing, Pa., has recalled approximately 8,500 pounds of ground beef products. Cargill is the nation's second-largest beef processor.

The meat was shipped to Connecticut and Maryland for distribution to other states.

Mike Martin, spokesman of Cargill Meat Solutions, said none of the three people who were reported sickened by the meat needed hospitalization. The meat was sent to BJ's Wholesale Club stores in Maine, Maryland, Connecticut, New Hampshire, New York, Virginia, New Jersey and Massachusetts, according to the USDA.

The Food Safety and Inspection Service received notice on Aug. 5 from state health and agriculture officials in Maine that they were tracking two patients with food poisoning identified as E. coli 026. Soon after, officials in New York state weighed in with a patient of their own. Other people in the Northeast with similar symptoms are being monitored by health officials.

E. coli 026 can cause bloody diarrhea, dehydration and, in severe cases, kidney failure. As with most other food pathogens, the very young, the aged and people with weak immune systems are the most susceptible to foodborne illness.

Read more: http://www.aolnews.com/nation/article/why-doesnt-usda-regulate-e-coli-strain-linked-to-beef-recall

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It never ends.

[valerief]

1. Good reason to not eat ground beef. That crap is always making people sick.

I guess you have to go to a civilized country to eat ground beef safely.

[defendandprotect]

2. USDA permitting 17% FECAL matter on carcasses . . . that's the last I heard

on the figure during the Clinton administration --

imagine where we are now after 8 years of Bush!!

And, wasn't industry organizing to RADIATE animal carcasses so they could just

neutralize the FECAL matter??

Lost track of all this -- I'm a VEGAN.

But if we want less violence in the world, the place to start is with animal-eating --

and capitalistism exploitations of animal-life!!

[pattmarty]

3. We have to start calling "fecal matter" what it really is; SHIT...............

.........Start using the "real" adjective and maybe, just maybe people will start DEMANDING the government intervene for their health.

[madrchsod]

4. i buy fresh ground from the local market.....

NEVER EVER buy meat in a frozen tube or premade frozen patties. always cook hamburger throughly and to proper temp.