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USDA Announces Increased E. Coli Testing in Beef

EMSL performs tests for E. coli and other foodborne pathogens


WEBWIRE

Beginning in March 2012, the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) will test beef for six additional types of E. coli bacteria to improve its safeguards for consumers. Currently, only 1 type of E. coli bacteria (O157:H7) is tested, but soon the USDA will require testing for 6 additional E. coli serogroups (O26, O103, O45, O111, O121, and O145). If raw beef tests positive for any of the 7 types of E. coli bacteria, it will be banned from the market under this new policy.
 
The six additional types of E. coli can survive in cooked meat with a pink center—such as a medium rare hamburger—so the USDA believes that there is a relatively high degree of risk in allowing beef to be sold unchecked.
 
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimate that approximately 1 in 6 Americans (the equivalent of 48 million people) gets sick, 128,000 are hospitalized, and 3,000 die from foodborne diseases.
 
These new food safety measures are the result of the USDA’s new tactic: increased emphasis on preventing disease, rather than reacting to outbreaks.
 
The new policy will cost an additional half a million dollars for the USDA and under 5 million dollars for the US meat industry.
 
“EMSL Analytical, Inc. provides testing for foodborne pathogens, including E. coli,” states Joseph Frasca, Senior VP at EMSL. “We also hold various certifications from government agencies, so our clients can be assured of our results’ accuracy.
 
About EMSL Analytical, Inc.
EMSL Analytical Inc. is a nationally recognized and locally focused provider of consumer product, environmental, industrial hygiene, food and materials testing services to professionals and the general public. In addition, the company offers a large variety of air sampling equipment, sampling cassettes and monitoring equipment. The company has an extensive list of accreditations from leading organizations as well as state and federal regulating bodies including, but not limited to AIHA IHLAP, AIHA EMLAP, AIHA ELLAP, A2LA, NVLAP, CDC Elite, CPSC (Consumer Product Safety Commission), CA ELAP, NY ELAP, TX Department of State Health Services, and multiple other state accrediting agencies. Please visit our website for a complete listing of accreditations.



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 E. coli
 beef
 testing
 pathogen
 O157:H7


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