Congresswoman Rosa L. DeLauro (D-CT) introduced the E. coli Traceability and Eradication Act which will require stricter testing procedures for meat and processing facilities with the goal of completely eradicating toxin-producing E. coli bacteria, and establishing a tracking procedure that will enable the USDA to implement faster recalls should any be found to be contaminated. The bill would require meat processing facilities to have an independent USDA-certified testing facility test ground beef and beef trim multiple times throughout the manufacturing process.
If any contamination is found it must be reported to USDA immediately. USDA would test products from that facility for 15 consecutive days following the positive test. Any facilities producing unsafe products for either three consecutive days or ten days throughout a year, their company named will be posted to a list of safety offenders with the USDA.
Additionally, the legislation will create a tracing protocol that will enable the USDA to track any contaminated meat or meat products which DeLauro says will lead to faster recalls and less hazard to consumers.
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