Ground Beef E. coli Testing Results

Posted on December 5, 2010 by PritzkerLaw

Ground beef E. coli testing results this year by USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) have yielded slightly lower rates of positive E. coli O157:H7 test results and less sampling of ground beef at federal plants, according to federal documents reviewed by Pritzker Olsen, a national E. coli law firm.

By law, E. coli 0157:H7 in ground beef is an adulterant and is capable of causing severe illness and death in those who consume it. FSIS inspectors test for it at federal plants, retail stores and in imports. FSIS data reviewed by Pritzker Olsen shows that fewer samples have been taken at meatpacking facilities this year while more samples have been taken and tested at retail stores.

The latest results are from FSIS routine sampling programs. Information is based upon data in the FSIS electronic data system as of November 28, 2010. 

A year ago by this time, FSIS had tested 11,003 ground beef samples for E. coli 0157:H7 at plants. Thirty-six were positive for a percent positive ratio of .33.  As of November 28 this year, FSIS tested 10,531 ground beef samples for E. coli 0157:H7 at plants. Twenty-nine were positive for a percent positive ratio of .28.

In 2009, through November, FSIS tested 582 raw ground beef samples at retail stores. Two tested positive for a percent positive ratio of .34 percent. This year, inspectors have tested 820 raw beef samples at retail stores, finding zero positive results.

Regarding imports, last year's program through the end of November tested 99 samples for E. coli 0157:H7. Three were positive for a percent positive ratio of 3.03. This year, FSIS tested 29 import ground beef samples through November. One was positive for a percent positive ratio of 3.45.

Below is the complete FSIS data set, which also includes testing for raw ground beef components -- cuts that are typically made into ground beef after they leave the plant:

Results from Analysis of Raw Ground Beef and Raw Ground Beef Component Samples for E. coli O157:H7
Raw Ground Beef (RGB)
Source As of November 29, 2009 As of November 28, 2010
Number Analyzed Number Positive Percent Positive Number Analyzed Number Positive Percent Positive
Federal Plants 11,003 36 0.33 10,531 29 0.28
    Verification
 10,564 35 0.33 10,236 26 0.25
    Follow-up
 439 1 0.23 295 3 1.02
   
Retail Stores 582 2 0.34 820 0 0.00
    Verification
 570 2 0.35 820 0 0.00
    Follow-up
 12 0 0.00 0 0 0.00
   
Imports 99 3 3.03 29 1 3.45
 
Raw Ground Beef Components (RGBC)
Source As of November 29, 2009 As of November 28, 2010
Number Analyzed Number Positive Percent Positive Number Analyzed Number Positive Percent Positive
Federal Plants 2,310 25 1.08 2,524 10 0.40
    Trim Verification
 1,122 8 0.71 1,191 3 0.25
    Follow-up to RGB Positive
 708 9 1.27 568 4 0.70
    Follow-up to RGBC Positive
 169 7 4.14 109 3 2.75
    Other RGBC Verification
 206 0 0.00 159 0 0.00
    Bench Trim Verification
 105 1 0.95 497 0 0.00
   
Imports 677 2 0.30 496 3 0.60

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