FSIS Provides Update on Topps Meat Company Recall Investigation
source from: USDA
Congressional and Public Affairs
(202) 720-9113
Laura Reiser
WASHINGTON, Oct. 28, 2007 - A joint investigation between the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) has identified a likely source of the multistate outbreak of E. coli O157:H7 infections linked to the Topps Meat Company.
On October 25, the CFIA provided FSIS with PFGE patterns, or DNA fingerprints, from tests of beef trim from a Canadian firm, Ranchers Beef, Ltd., Canadian establishment number 630. This firm provided trim to the Topps Meat Company. While the firm, which had been located in Balzac, Alberta, ceased operations on August 15, 2007, some product remained in storage and was collected and tested by CFIA as part of the joint investigation of the Topps recall and as part of CFIA's own investigation into 45 illnesses in Canada from E. coli O157:H7.
"We appreciate the assistance from our food safety partners in Canada. This piece of information helped us to determine a likely source of contaminated product which led to the September 29 Topps Meat Company expanded recall," stated under secretary for food safety Dr. Richard Raymond. "We have a long history of cooperation and collaboration with CFIA."
Today, PulseNet provided verification to FSIS that this PFGE pattern matched those from patients who were ill and from positive tests conducted by the New York Department of Health on product (both intact packages and open packages from patients' homes) that was later recalled by the Topps Meat Company on September 29. PulseNet is the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) searchable database of all PFGE patterns from patients and food products in the United States.
As of October 26, CDC reported 40 illnesses under investigation in 8 states, with 21 known hospitalizations. The latest onset of illness is September 24, 2007. This summer was the first time this rare PFGE pattern had been seen in North America.
As the result of the Topps Meat Company recall investigation, FSIS had delisted Ranchers Beef, Ltd., Canadian establishment number 630, on October 20, 2007. No product from that firm has been eligible to come into the U.S. since that date.
Today, FSIS notified industry to hold all boneless beef manufacturing trim from Ranchers Beef, Ltd., Canadian establishment number 630, or raw products produced in whole or in part from these products until the joint investigation is completed. The Agency has also today issued a Notice (PDF Only) to inspection program personnel in the field to retain these products. Although products subject to recall should be returned to the point of purchase, consumers preparing other ground beef products should always follow the four Be Food Safe steps of Clean, Separate, Cook and Chill. Consumers should only eat ground beef patties that have been cooked to a safe temperature of 160 °F. The only way to be sure a ground beef patty is cooked to a high enough temperature to kill harmful bacteria is to use an accurate food thermometer.
On October 23, FSIS announced new, ongoing and upcoming actions to protect public health against the risk of E. coli O157:H7, including expanded testing, including testing of imported trim at the border. On October 19, FSIS notified countries that export beef 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. On October 4, FSIS publicly outlined the timeline of the Topps recall, the preliminary findings from its investigation of the Topps recall, actions already taken by the agency and further steps to reduce E. coli 0157:H7.
Transcript of Tele-News Regarding E. coli 0157: H7 Actions
Washington D.C. - October 23, 2007
Dr. Richard Raymond, Under Secretary for Food Safety
Dr. Daniel Engeljohn, Deputy Assistant Administrator, Office of Policy, Program and Employee Development, Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS)
Dr. David Goldman, FSIS Assistant Administrator, Office of Public Health Science
Dr. Kenneth Petersen, FSIS Assistant Administrator, Office of Field Operations
UNDER SECRETARY RAYMOND: Good morning or good afternoon, depending on what time zone you are in. I appreciate the opportunity today to explain new actions we have taken at USDA to protect public health from the risk of E. coli O157:H7.
Since January there have been 15 recalls related to E. coli in beef this year, eight of those have been associated with human illnesses. In comparison, in 2006 there were only eight related recalls and none of those were related to human illnesses and in 2005 there were only five E. coli related recalls. So obviously something has changed.
We want to remind you that compared to 10 years ago, remember, the safety of the food supply is better than it has ever been. The number of recalls and the number of illnesses has declined in the last several years but as a result of what we are seeing this year we are going through a very comprehensive review of our entire inspection and recall procedures at this time and taking lessons learned from a number of recalls including the recent Topps recall. We have emphasized the need for us to do even more to strengthen our polices and programs. more information.
