FSIS Takes Action to Combat E. coli

WASHINGTON— The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) has announced new, ongoing and upcoming actions to protect public health against the risk of E. coli O157:H7, including expanded testing and more rapid recalls. FSIS also provided an update on stepped-up efforts initiated in the spring and summer of 2007.

"We want the American consumer to know that FSIS has taken a number of aggressive actions to respond to a recent increase in E. coli O157:H7 recalls and illnesses associated with this pathogen and we are further expanding these efforts," said Under Secretary for Food Safety Dr. Richard A. Raymond.

Key initiatives targeted to federally inspected plants that produce raw beef products include:

Testing and analysis of trim. Based on preliminary data from the agency's beef trim baseline and scientific literature indicating that contamination of trim is related to contamination of ground beef, FSIS began trim testing in March 2007, not waiting for final analysis of the baseline. By testing earlier in the production chain to identify contaminated beef trim intended for ground beef, FSIS prevents this source from contaminating the ground beef available to consumers. This also gives the agency more data to analyze in determining and implementing the most appropriate actions to reverse upward trends.

Verifying control of E. coli O157:H7. FSIS notified the beef industry that, as of November, all beef plants will be expected to verify that they are effectively controlling E. coli O157:H7 during slaughter and processing. The agency also provided the industry specific examples of minimum controls that would meet the minimum criteria for a "well-controlled" process. Identifying which establishments achieve the minimums, and which establishments do not, will provide FSIS the critical information on establishments with vulnerabilities.

New checklist for verifying control. FSIS inspection program personnel will review both suppliers and processors based on a new checklist, once they complete specialized training beginning the week of Oct. 29. Data from the checklists will be completed in November and will be updated quarterly to help the agency more quickly identify significant changes in plants' production controls and ensure the company takes corrective action. FSIS will analyze the checklist data and use it to adjust programs or policies as needed.

Testing more domestic and imported ground beef components. FSIS will begin testing materials that are used as components in raw ground beef, in addition to the beef trim already tested, which is the primary component. FSIS is also requiring countries whose beef is imported to the U.S. to conduct the same sampling or an equivalent measure.

More rapid recalls. FSIS now takes into account a broader, more complete range of evidence when evaluating whether to seek a recall or take regulatory action. This gives the agency a credible approach to more rapidly taking action when certain types of evidence are available. In two recent cases, FSIS acted upon epidemiological evidence that linked illness to opened, FSIS-inspected product found in consumers freezers.

Targeting routine testing. In January 2008, FSIS will begin routine targeted sampling for E. coli O157:H7 at slaughter and grinding facilities. Currently, all plants have an equal chance of being tested. Under this new verification testing program, FSIS will test larger volume operations more frequently than in the past. Data from the checklists will be used to determine testing frequency for establishments.

Ensuring safety of imported beef products. FSIS notified countries that export raw beef product to the U.S. of new policies and programs and is working with them to ensure they implement the same or equivalent measures to protect the public from E. coli O157:H7 risks.

One key to these efforts will be strengthening communications with public health partners, industry and consumer representatives and internally with inspection program personnel. These efforts include:

Working with federal partners. On October 17, FSIS, along with the Department of Health and Human Services' Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), hosted a public meeting regarding E. coli organisms other than O157:H7 that are related to foodborne illness. FSIS expects that any future steps taken to reduce the prevalence of non-O157:H7 E. coli will be better understood by all food safety partners due to such meetings.

Working with small plants. In October and November, FSIS will target outreach and training sessions around the country for small and very small raw beef processors, other stakeholders and FSIS inspection program personnel. This training will focus on new E. coli O157:H7 policies, as well as lessons learned from the recent recalls associated with E. coli O157:H7.

Working with stakeholders. Later this fall, FSIS plans to convene a meeting of experts and stakeholders to examine the current situation with E. coli O157:H7, factors that may be leading to an increased number of positive test results and recalls and the additional steps that FSIS and the industry can

Working with public health partners. This winter, FSIS will hold a meeting with its State and local public health partners, FDA, CDC, industry and consumer groups, about how to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of outbreak investigations and recalls conducted by FSIS in collaboration with these partners.

For a full list of actions by FSIS to reduce E. coli, click here.