Food Safety Outbreak: Ground Beef
During several inspections in early 2007, USDA food safety officials noted that the ground beef operation of food processing giant Cargill did not follow its own safety procedures to avoid contamination. No fines or penalties were imposed, however.
In September 2007, a 22-year-old dance teacher suffered seizures and kidney failure, and ultimately was paralyzed after she ate a burger that turned out to be laced with a virulent strain of E. Coli. The burger was ground in a Cargill plant, but made of parts from several far-flung slaughterhouses.
There is no federal requirement for meat grinding plants to test for bacteria in deliveries from suppliers, and many slaughterhouses discourage grinders from testing their meat before processing. Both meat grinders and the government treat the supply chain as a trade secret.
After the 2007 outbreak, the USDA and Cargill entered into months of “contentious negotiations” before the agency accepted a Cargill proposal on how it would supervise its suppliers in future. Referring to Cargill’s initial reluctance to make changes, an official said “How is food safety not the ultimate issue?”
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Sources
Moss, M. 2009. The Burger That Shattered Her Life. New York Times. October 3. accessed July 23, 2010.
Statement by Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack Regarding Recent E. Coli Story, USDA, October 5, 2009.
