Editorial: More power needed in E. coli inspection

Tuesday, July 23, 2002 | 8:40 a.m.

The ConAgra Beef Co. is recalling 19 millions pounds of ground beef produced at its plant in Greeley, Colo. It's one of 45 meat recalls so far this year that remain under the active supervision of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service. The ConAgra recall is by far the biggest and was undertaken voluntarily by the company after 19 people in six Western states became sick after eating hamburger contaminated with E. coli 0157:H7, the strain that can cause abdominal cramps, diarrhea, kidney failure and even death. Nevadans were among the 700 people in four Western states sickened by this strain in 1993 when an outbreak that killed four children was traced to Jack in the Box. This strain of E. coli was first recorded 20 years ago after an outbreak that was traced to a McDonald's in Oregon.

The Centers for Disease Control says reported cases of E. coli infections are now up to 73,000 a year, with 60 resulting in death. Although meat-safety standards at the retail level have been toughened since 1993, packing plants remain under-regulated in the face of such numbers. We support Sen. Tom Harkin, D-Iowa, who is working to provide the USDA with increased powers. The agency needs to set and enforce higher standards at plants and feedlots. It also needs the authority to force recalls in the event that food companies do not agree to them voluntarily, and to close plants with repeated violations. E. coli is a growing threat and the USDA's power needs to grow with it.