JBS Swift has issued an enormous recall for 380,000 lbs of its beef products due to E. coli O157:H7 contamination. That is a very large recall. The contaminated products were sold to distributors, retailers and restaurants across the country. When the JBS Swift products are sold, they are often butchered into smaller cuts and ground beef. This simple act of butchering could potentially cross contaminate, with E. coli O157:H7, not only the beef but all machines, utensils, surfaces and hands that were used in the trimming.
Every location that used JBS Swift products could end up as a hub for E. coli O157:H7. Because of the scale of this recall, it is imperative that the public be allowed access to the JBS Swift distribution records. This is turning out to be more difficult than it should be.
FDA and FSIS, why the veil of secrecy?
According to the FSIS’s own regulations, American citizens have a right to know where the recalled beef was distributed if “there is a reasonable probability that the use of the product could cause serious adverse health consequences or death.” (§390.10 Availability of Lists of Retail Consignees during Meat or Poultry Product Recalls)
Folks, when we are talking about E. coli O157:H7, there is always a serious risk of health “consequences” i.e. severe abdominal cramping, bloody diarrhea, dehydration and E. coli can even lead to complications like hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) and Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP). HUS and TTP can cause permanent damage to organ systems and even result in death.
E. coli O157:H7 has proven it’s dangerous enough, there are victims involved and JBS Swift has recalled 190 tons of products. I think the federal requirements have been met and it’s time for the FSIS and FDA to share the JBS Swift & Company’s distribution lists. Secrecy in this matter will only endanger more people.
Richard J. Arsenault, 2010
