DeLauro Statement on USDA Rule to Track Sources of Ground Meats

WASHINGTON, DC (December 14, 2014) — Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-03) today released the following statement on a new rule by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service that will improve the agency’s ability to determine the source of foodborne illnesses linked to ground beef, stopping foodborne illness outbreaks sooner when they occur.

“With these measures, the USDA is strengthening federal food safety efforts by developing strategies that emphasize a three-dimensional approach to preventing foodborne illness: prioritizing prevention; strengthening surveillance and enforcement; and improving response and recovery. During outbreaks of foodborne illness, it is critical that the USDA can locate the source of the outbreak rapidly and trace any additional outbreaks linked to the source.

“The USDA’s most important work is protecting American consumers from foodborne public health threats and these new rules are a critical addition to their efforts. We must do more to keep our food system safe and keep consumers healthy.”

Based on lessons learned from previous outbreak investigations, the Food and Safety Inspection Service is requiring that all makers of raw ground beef products keep adequate records of the source material, so that the agency can quickly work with the suppliers to recall contaminated product. Outbreak investigations can be hindered when retail stores produce ground beef by mixing product from various sources but fail to keep clear records that would allow investigators to determine which supplier produced the unsafe product.

DeLauro is a senior Democrat on House subcommittee responsible for funding the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

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