April 25, 2007

US meat processor Richwood blames suppliers for E. coli

California-based Richwood Meat Co has blamed the slaughterhouse which processed the meat for the E. coli outbreak which is believed to have sickened at least three children last week.

Richwood's vice president, Steve Wood, said he didn't know the slaughterhouse which he believed produced the patties that were contaminated.

Richwood receives raw, boneless meat from suppliers and processes it into hamburger patties and other products. The slaughterhouses that supply Richwood are required to provide laboratory tests certifying the meat is clean. Wood says inspectors usually only test small samples of each batch and can miss a contaminated portion.

About a hundred pounds frozen ground beef has been recalled by Richwood last Friday (April 20).