Nebraska Beef issues second large recall of the summer

A recall of beef processed at Nebraska Beef in Omaha has been expanded to include 160,000 more pounds making the total amount of meat recalled 1.36 million pounds. The recall, announced by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, states that practices used at the plant to process meat in June were "insanitary" and did not effectively prevent the meat from becoming contaminated with E. coli O157:H. So far 27 illnesses in the U.S. and Canada have been linked to the recalled beef.

This is the second large recall of meat from Nebraska Beef this summer. In June and July, the company recalled 5.3 million pounds of meat that had been linked to 49 illnesses. The strain of E. coli in that recall differs from that in the current recall. Most of the meat in the earlier recall—produced from May 16 to June 26—was intended for use in ground beef.

According to the recent USDA notice, the recall involves large cuts of intact meat or "primal cuts, subprimal cuts and boxed beef produced on June 24 and July 8, whose shipping containers and labels bear the establishment number "EST. 19336" inside the USDA mark of inspection and the company name "Nebraska Beef Ltd." Last week's initial recall also included meat produced on June 17.

Some of the recalled beef was sold to Whole Foods and such regional grocery chains as Fred Meyer, King Soopers, City Market and Dorothy Lane, which have removed it from their stores. Illnesses have been reported in California, Colorado, Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virgina and Canada.

According to a report in the Washington Post, meat sold as steaks and roasts is not monitored as closely by regulators as that intended for ground beef. That's because bacteria on an intact cut of beef is likely to be on the outside and would be killed if the meat is properly cooked. When ground beef is contaminated with E. coli, the contaminant is mixed into the meat and may not be killed unless the interior of the meat is heated to 160 degrees.

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

To learn more about the Nebraska Beef recalls, read the USDA notices:

• August 14 (expanded recall)
• August 8
• July 3 (expanded recall)
• June 30

Comments

[AJ]

What other consumer products are produced in conditions this disgusting and are still allowed to be sold?