DeLauro Applauds USDA for Proposing Rule to Enhance Consumer Safety

WASHINGTON, DC—Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) released the following statement today applauding the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)’s proposed rule that would require raw ground beef makers to keep records on where that beef comes from. This will ensure that in the event of a foodborne illness outbreak investigators can trace meat back to its source, speeding up the recall process.

“We must do more to address the dangers American families face on a daily basis from the hidden killer of foodborne illness. This proposed rule is a good step, and if implemented in its current form, will allow USDA to recall products more quickly. This is crucial during an outbreak when speedy notification can keep people from becoming ill, or even dying. We are not talking about roads or parks. We are talking about people’s lives. Nothing is more important.”

Grocery stores and other retail establishments currently are not required to document and maintain supplier information.

The rule reads in part: “The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is proposing to amend its recordkeeping regulations to specify that all official establishments and retail stores that grind raw beef products for sale in commerce must keep records that disclose the identity and contact information of the supplier of all source materials that they use in the preparation of each lot of raw ground beef. They must also record the names of those supplied source materials, including any beef components and any carryover from one production lot to the next. The records would also be required to document lot numbers, the amount of the beef component used in each lot (in pounds), the date and time, ach lot of raw ground beef product was produced, and the date and time when grinding equipment and other related food-contact surfaces were cleaned and sanitized. Official establishments and retail stores would also have to comply with the proposed recordkeeping requirements with respect to raw beef products that are ground at an individual customer’s request.” It can be read in its entirety here.