11/14/07 Imported e coli

A couple of weeks ago I told you about legislation aimed at making U.S. beef safer. It seems there is a little more to the story. I'm Jeff Keane; I'll be right back with the new information. During last summer two major beef recalls were completed because of the presence of E. coli in frozen hamburger patties. One of the companies involved was Topp Meat Company; the other recall was for beef patties originating from a Cargill Incorporated plant in Wisconsin. The Topp Meat Company went out of business in October. The incidents promoted legislation from the Senate to impose tougher meat inspection rules to be administered by the USDA. Recent results of an investigation by the United States Department of Food Safety and Inspection Service and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency has identified a likely source of the E. coil infection from the Topp Meat Company. Through DNA finger prints the E. coli has been linked to a Canadian firm, Ranchers Beef, Limited. This Canadian firm sent beef trim to Topp Meat Company. Ranchers Beef, Ltd. shut down operation on August 15, 2007 but some beef remained in storage. The Food Safety and Inspection Service delisted Ranchers Beef, Limited on October 20, 2007 and no product is eligible to enter the U.S. from that company. This just reaffirms my belief cheaper foreign beef imports come at a cost not only to American producers but also to American consumers. I'm Jeff Keane. Western Livestock Reporter 10/31/07