June 12, 2020

USDA to expand E. coli tests to ground beef

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is set to expand testing of non-O157 STEC (Shiga toxin-producing E. coli) on ground beef, including raw ground beef components, the Food Poisoning Bulletin reported.

The strains included in non-0157 are major E. coli strains O26, O45, O103, O111, O121, and O145.

Raw beef products (both intact and non-intact) were tested for non-0157 STEC strains in September 2011 because of the dangers posed – highly pathogenic, low dose to infect, transmittable between people and survives high temperatures.

The new tests on ground beef products aims to lower recalls related to E. Coli and lower illness and deaths. The USDA said the projected benefits of adding ground beef to tests could save about US$51.6 million annually. The additional testing will cost US$6.4 million (estimated).

The tests will be conducted at meat slaughtering plants, as contamination happens during the slaughtering process and dressing. Using preventative measures, the plants are able to reduce or control STEC levels.

An E. coli outbreak in the United States related to the non-O157 Shiga toxin occurred in 2019, related to ground beef. 196 patients from 10 states were affected, 28 hospitalised and two had kidney failure.

-      Food Poisoning Bulletin