Proposal would increase testing for E. coli bacteria in beef, other meat

A New York Senator is leading an effort to expand testing of meat in the U.S. for more forms of E. coli bacteria.

The measure introduced by Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand is in direct response the deadly E. coli outbreak in Europe which has claimed at least 22 lives. That outbreak is believed to be linked to fresh produce, but previous food recalls of beef and meat in the U.S. have been due to E. coli bacteria.

Currently, the Food and Drug Administration only tests for one strain of E. coli bacteria. Gillibrand, according to the Watertown (N.Y.) Daily Times, wants more funding to allow the FDA the ability to test for more strains of the bacteria.

In Europe, the deadly outbreak is blamed on a mutant strain of E. coli bacteria, not previously observed by food safety officials, based on previous reports of the outbreak. Most E. coli outbreaks in the U.S. involve the O157:H7 strain.

Under Gillibrand’s proposal, the FDA would identify all known strains of E. coli bacteria and add it to the “adulterants” list, meaning all beef and meat samples tested by regulators, including the Dept. of Agriculture, would be tested for those strains, too.

Her proposal would also increase testing on imported beef and meats.