IBP Recalls Beef After Test Discovers Dangerous Bacteria
Associated Press
The country's biggest meat-packing company is recalling more than 282,000 pounds of ground
beef nationwide following the discovery of contamination with a virulent strain of E. coli
bacteria.
The tainted sample was found during a routine testing program conducted by the Agriculture
Department on a single package of beef produced April 14 at IBP Inc.'s plant in Joslin, Ill.
The recalled amount represents that entire day's production and was possibly shipped to
numerous states, a spokeswoman for USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service said
Wednesday.
IBP, based in Dakota City, Neb., said in a statement that 50 retail and food-service customers
have been contacted and asked to return the meat to IBP. The beef is typically processed further
by grocers and restaurants, so there are no product codes for consumers to check.
"To our knowledge, there has been no illness associated or reported on the product from this
date," the IBP statement said. "However, in an abundance of caution, IBP is conducting this
voluntary recall."
Health departments in all 50 states have been alerted to watch for cases of E. coli, as has the
federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The Agriculture Department has isolated the
DNA of the sample in question, which could be used to determine if any illnesses result from the
recalled beef.
Symptoms of infection include abdominal cramps, diarrhea and fever. E. coli, a microbe that gets
in meat mainly through contaminated manure, is particularly dangerous for children, the elderly
and people with AIDS.
Cooking hamburger to an internal temperature of 160 degrees Fahrenheit will kill the pathogen.
Ground beef should never be eaten rare.
The recall is the latest in a series of cases involving E. coli and ground beef, including the record
recall of 25 million pounds last summer by Hudson Foods Co. People were sickened in that case,
and the financial fallout resulted in Hudson's buyout by Arkansas rival Tyson Foods Inc.
Despite its high profile, E. coli contamination is still relatively rare: The sample found by the
Agriculture Department was only the 13th out of some 20,100 tests on beef since 1994.
The IBP plant in Illinois is among those that have implemented a new government-mandated
meat inspection system intended to reduce E. coli and salmonella contamination through
controls at certain spots along the production line. There are 45 employees at the plant
dedicated to food safety.
The IBP statement said the company is reviewing all of its procedures and is installing new
technology in its plants, including steam cabinets that prevent contamination on beef carcasses.
"Our company and our industry continue to aggressively research ways to further enhance our
food safety efforts," the company said.
The Agriculture Department later this year will announce rules enabling meat processors to use
irradiation on ground beef, which kills E. coli, salmonella and other pathogens.
News of the recall came after financial markets closed Wednesday. Shares of IBP fell 62.50
cents to $21.3750 on the New York Stock Exchange. |
