CU repeats call for single food safety agency in wake of huge beef recall

As more illnesses have been linked to a strain of the E. coli bacteria found in beef produced by the Topps Meat Company, Consumers Union is reiterating its call for the creation of a single agency to ensure the safety of our nation's food supply. CU, the non-profit publisher of Consumer Reports, also calls for mandatory recall authority for both the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), power which is currently lacking.

At least 27 people in eight states have been sickened after reportedly eating meat produced by the New Jersey company. On Saturday, Topps  recalled 21.7 million pounds of beef manufactured over the last year and bearing a “sell by” or “best used” date between Sept. 25, 2007 and Sept. 25, 2008, along with the USDA designation EST 9748. The beef -– mostly frozen hamburger patties -- was sold under a variety of brand names (see list below).

E. coli O157:H7 is a potentially deadly bacterium that can cause bloody diarrhea and dehydration. The very young, seniors and persons with compromised immune systems are the most susceptible to foodborne illness.

In August, people began to get sick from the beef in question, yet it took nearly six weeks before the first recall was issued.  “Both the FDA and USDA need mandatory recall authority.  The safety of our food should not be dependent on voluntary action by companies,” said Jean Halloran, CU’s Director of Food Policy Initiatives. 

“The system is broken. Recalls and inspections have failed miserably,” said Halloran.  “Clearly we need a single food agency with the tools, resources and leadership to focus on one clear mission -- food safety.”

Topps advises consumers to look for these products in their freezers immediately. If you have a product marked with the above information remove the sell-by date and UPC code and send it to: Attn: Recall Coordinator, Topps Meat Company LLC, P.O. Box 219, 1161 E. Broad Street, Elizabeth, NJ 07207 for a full refund. It is important to dispose of the remaining product immediately.

Topps has established a toll-free hotline (888-734-0451) to answer questions concerning this recall. Consumers may also visit www.toppsmeat.com

The recalled meat was sold in two-pound to 10-pound boxes under the following brand names: Butcher’s Best, Kohler Foods, Mike's, Pathmark, Rastelli's Fine Foods, Roma–Topps, Sam's Choice Backyard Gourmet, Sand Castle Fine Meat, Shop Rite, Topps and West Side.

In a national Consumers Union poll in 2004, 97 percent of respondents agreed that the government should have mandatory recall authority for contaminated meat. This latest recall shows that the food safety system needs a drastic overhaul.