Nebraska Beef proceeds with production under closer scrutiny

Nebraska Beef Ltd. has proceeded with its beef production under increased testing and monitoring, three days after its second large beef recall.

Company spokesman William Lamson Jr. said that no E. coli bacteria have been found in products made since July 8. He said Nebraska Beef has increased product testing and hired a consultant to review its food safety procedures.

On Friday (August 8), the company recalled 1.2 million pounds of beef products that may be contaminated with E. coli and might have sickened 31 people in 12 states.

Retailers including Whole Foods Market and Kroger Co. have since recalled beef products associated with Nebraska Beef.

On July 11, USDA signed off on corrective actions that Nebraska Beef Ltd. proposed following the ground beef recalls. USDA spokeswoman Laura Reiser told the Associated Press the corrective actions the agency approved at that time only applied to E. coli 0157:H7 strain linked to the ground beef-related illnesses.