Source of e coli contamination in Topps recall found

And, whaddayaknow! It was imported beef......

"FSIS officials said that late last week the CFIA provided FSIS with PFGE patterns, or DNA fingerprints, from tests of beef trim from a Canadian firm, Ranchers Beef, Ltd., which supplied trim to Elizabeth, N.J.-based Topps. Although Ranchers Beef, located in Balzac, Alberta, ceased operations Aug. 15, 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 its own investigation into 45 illnesses in Canada from E. coli."


As you can see the Alberta plant where the contamination originated had shut down before the recall was even instituted, but USDA delisted them anyhow. Talk about an empty gesture.

Here is the rest of what they are doing about it.

"On Oct. 23, FSIS announced new initiatives to protect public health against the risk of E. coli O157:H7, including expanded testing, including testing of imported trim at the border. On Oct. 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 risks. On Oct. 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. "

Another story on the topic.