 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
FSIS Provides Update on Topps Meat Company Recall Investigation
|
|
|
|
Congressional and Public Affairs
(202) 720-9113
Laura Reiser
WASHINGTON, Oct. 26, 2007 - A joint investigation between the Canadian Food Inspection Agency
(CFIA) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) has identified a
likely source of the multistate outbreak of E. coli O157:H7 infections linked to the Topps Meat Company.
On October 25, the CFIA provided FSIS with PFGE patterns, or DNA fingerprints, from tests of beef trim from
a Canadian firm, Ranchers Beef, Ltd., Canadian establishment number 630. This firm provided trim to the Topps
Meat Company. While the firm, which had been located in Balzac, Alberta, ceased operations on August 15, 2007,
some product remained in storage and was collected and tested by CFIA as part of the joint investigation of the
Topps recall and as part of CFIA's own investigation into 45 illnesses in Canada from E. coli O157:H7.
"We appreciate the assistance from our food safety partners in Canada. This piece of information helped
us to determine a likely source of contaminated product which led to the September 29 Topps Meat Company expanded
recall," stated under secretary for food safety Dr. Richard Raymond. "We have a long history of
cooperation and collaboration with CFIA."
Today, PulseNet provided verification to FSIS that this PFGE pattern matched those from patients who were ill
and from positive tests conducted by the New York Department of Health on product (both intact packages and open
packages from patients' homes) that was later recalled by the Topps Meat Company on September 29. PulseNet is the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) searchable database of all PFGE patterns from patients and
food products in the United States.
As of October 26, CDC reported 40 illnesses under investigation in 8 states, with 21 known hospitalizations.
The latest onset of illness is September 24, 2007. This summer was the first time this rare PFGE pattern had been
seen in North America.
As the result of the Topps Meat Company recall investigation, FSIS had delisted Ranchers Beef, Ltd., Canadian
establishment number 630, on October 20, 2007. No product from that firm has been eligible to come into the U.S.
since that date.
Today, FSIS notified industry to hold all boneless beef manufacturing trim from Ranchers Beef, Ltd., Canadian
establishment number 630, or raw products produced in whole or in part from these products until the joint
investigation is completed. The Agency has also today issued a Notice
(PDF Only) to inspection program personnel in the field to retain these products.
Although products subject to recall should be returned to the point of purchase, consumers preparing other ground
beef products should always follow the four Be Food Safe steps of Clean,
Separate, Cook and Chill. Consumers should only eat ground beef patties that have been cooked to a safe temperature
of 160 °F. The only way to be sure a ground beef patty is cooked to a high enough temperature to kill harmful
bacteria is to use an accurate food thermometer.
On October 23, FSIS announced new, ongoing and upcoming actions to protect public health against the risk of
E. coli O157:H7, including expanded testing, including testing of imported trim at the border.
On October 19, FSIS notified countries that export beef to the U.S. of new policies and programs and is working
with them to ensure they implement the same or equivalent measures to protect the public from E. coli
O157:H7 risks. On October 4, FSIS publicly outlined the timeline of the Topps recall, the preliminary findings
from its investigation of the Topps recall, actions already taken by the agency and further steps to reduce
E. coli 0157:H7.
|
| # |
Last Modified:
October 27, 2007 |
|
|
|
 |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
To view PDF files you must have Adobe Reader installed on your computer.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
FSIS Advertisement Rotator
|
|
|
|
|
