September 3, 2010

US government representative calls for new pathogen testing rules

Representative Rosa DeLauro is putting more pressure on USDA for stronger regulation of non-0157 pathogens.

Delauro's move comes following Cargill's weekend recall of 8,500 pounds of ground beef over concerns about a connection between E. coli 026 and three illnesses in two states. This was the first recall directly relating a beef product to illnesses traced to a non-0157:H7 pathogen.

The chairwoman of the House FDA and Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee said it is time for USDA to acknowledge the scientific evidence and classify all toxin-producing E. coli strains as an adulterant that should be made subject to testing. She said this would close a significant gap in our food safety system and help minimise additional foodborne illnesses.

Bill Marler, a Seattle-based food safety attorney and advocate says USDA and the beef industry know well that there are at least six additional strains of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli: O45, O111, O121, O145, O103 and O26 that are highly dangerous to humans and should not exist in food. Experts have said only about 10% of laboratories in the US are currently capable of testing for non-O157 pathogens.