Silicon Investor (SI) -- The First Internet Community

STOCKTALK

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor. We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community. If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.

Biotech / Medical : neog - Neogen's E.Coli Test adopted by Japan -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Kramer who wrote (184)	4/29/1998 11:41:00 PM
From: Kramer	Respond to of 441

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.