DeLauro Questions Traceback Timeline of E. coli-contaminated Ground Beef Recall

WASHINGTON, DC(September 26, 2018) - Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-03) today wrote a letter to U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Sonny Perdue seeking more information regarding the ongoing multistate E. coli outbreak linked to ground beef—which has resulted in eighteen infections and one death.

"I write today out of concern regarding the USDA's investigation into the ongoing multistate outbreak of Escherichia coli O26, which has been linked to ground beef," wrote DeLauro. "According to the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), the Agency was notified of an investigation of E. coli O26 illnesses on August 16, 2018."

"However, it was not until August 30, 2018 that the first recall related to this outbreak was initiated by Publix Super Markets Inc.," continued DeLauro. "At that time, according to FSIS, the source of the outbreak was ‘yet-to-be determined.' Then, twenty days later on September 19, 2018, 132,606 pounds of ground beef products from Cargill, the apparent source of the outbreak, were finally recalled. In total, it was more than thirty-five days from when FSIS first learned of the outbreak to when the traceback investigation was able to identified the source. Such a timeline is simply unacceptable and unnecessarily jeopardizes public health."

In her letter, DeLauro asks USDA to provide specific details regarding the traceback investigation related to this outbreak. A copy of the full letter can be found here.