DeLauro Call for Closure of Beef Packers, Inc.

Company repeatedly found in violation of food safety requirements

Washington, DC— Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-3) today called for the closure of Beef Packers, Inc. in the wake of a 22,723 pound recall of beef suspected to be contaminated with salmonella Newport. The Cargill-owned company has a history of food safety violations, including a nearly 860,000 pound recall earlier this year of meat contaminated with the same strain of salmonellosis suspected in this recall.

The company has also been the subject of a recent investigation by USA Today regarding their participation in the National School Lunch Program, and has been suspended from the program three times for safety concerns.

"This is another glaring example of the problems we face in our nation's food safety system. Beef Packers, Inc. has repeatedly shown their inability to meet current safety measures, and continues to pose a health risk not only to the general population, but to our children through the school lunch program. Given the repeated violations of Beef Packers, Inc., the USDA should close this facility and undertake a comprehensive examination into the process at Cargill-BPI to identify and correct any major problems internally or with their suppliers."

More information on the recall can be found here: https://www.fsis.usda.gov/News_&_Events/Recall_065_2009_Release/index.asp.