The USDA’s beef with E. coli

The US Department of Agriculture this week announced it will test for more deadly strains of E. coli in ground beef beginning March 2012.

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This means more testing and regulation for the beef industry, particularly on the processing and packing side. Many beef groups like the National Cattleman’s Beef Association don’t plan on going quietly into a world with more rules. Read their response to the announcement here. Though, there are some who are encouraged by the USDA’s move to widen consumer health protection; listen to this episode of Field Notes for the story of an E. coli outbreak victim and food safety from a cattleman’s perspective.