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Cargill Recalls 29,000 Pounds of Ground Beef After Salmonella Outbreak

Jill Ettinger — Tue, 24 Jul 2012 18:29:45 +0000

Cargill Beef has announced that it is voluntarily recalling more than 29,000 pounds of ground beef that may contain a harmful strain of salmonella. The USDA reports that more than 30 people have become sick, and two cases involved hospitalization from eating the tainted meat sold in states including Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, New York, Rhode Island, Virginia and Vermont.

Controversy Over ‘Pink Slime’ Sizzling: 70 Percent of Ground Beef Is Slimed

Jill Ettinger — Mon, 12 Mar 2012 07:00:51 +0000

Reacting to criticism over the use of beef scraps—including tissue and other parts of cows usually designated for pet food—nicknamed 'pink slime' by plucky British chef and healthy food advocate, Jamie Oliver, beef industry producers say the attacks and name-calling are unwarranted, and moreover, the product is not a health risk.

Where’s the Dog Food? In Your Hamburger

Jill Ettinger — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 08:00:01 +0000

Reducing food waste is a critical responsibility not to be dismissed by any individual or industry, but concerns over ammonia-treated low-quality beef otherwise used as dog food and winding up in burger meat is sounding major alarms for food activists and concerned consumers. Credit Jamie Oliver, the host of “The Food Revolution” for speaking out [...]

USDA Investigates Salmonella Outbreak in Beef

Erin Shaw — Sun, 25 Dec 2011 08:00:31 +0000

The USDA is investigating an outbreak of Salmonella that originated with beef products sold throughout the Northeast at Hannaford grocery stores. Tracing the outbreak source up the supply chain is complicated by weak record-keeping standards for grocers' beef products.

Product Tracing Needed to Protect Us from Foodborne Illnesses

Barbara Feiner — Sun, 29 Aug 2010 19:46:28 +0000

Cover enough salmonella or E. coli outbreaks, and you become intimately familiar with the “T” word: traceback.

The term refers to the process federal inspectors use to determine exactly where contamination occurred in the food supply chain.

Recent recalls highlight the critical need for an effective product tracing system, according to the Institute of Food Technologists (IFT), a Chicago-based organization that represents food scientists and related professionals.

New Ground Beef Recall; More Eggs Join List

Barbara Feiner — Sun, 29 Aug 2010 02:04:30 +0000

About 8,500 pounds of ground beef have been recalled by Wyalusing, PA-based Cargill Meat Solutions Corp.

This is an E. coli-related Class I recall, which designates “a health hazard situation where there is a reasonable probability that the use of the product will cause serious, adverse health consequences or death.”

This isn’t Cargill’s first time at the recall rodeo. As I reported in November, the company was forced to recall 5,522 pounds of beef tongues because workers neglected to remove tonsils—a violation of both USDA regulations and my personal “ick” meter.

New Recall: 1 Million Pounds of Ground Beef

Barbara Feiner — Sun, 08 Aug 2010 14:52:35 +0000

Modesto, Calif.-based Valley Meat Co. is recalling approximately 1 million pounds of frozen ground beef patties and bulk ground beef products that may be contaminated with E. coli.

This is a U.S. Department of Agriculture Class 1 recall, which indicates “a health hazard situation where there is a reasonable probability that the use of the product will cause serious, adverse health consequences or death.”

Affected products are listed here. At press time, seven individuals have become ill.

As I reported in October, eating ground beef is still considered a “gamble.”

Photo: aMichiganMom