Beef Industry Making Strides in Fight Against E. coli

Science and technology are paving the way for a safer beef supply according to a panel discussion March 19 at the Food Safety Summit and Expo in Washington, D.C.  Presenting an overview on current strategies to combat E.coli O157:H7, beef industry leaders described various science-based practices, and say fast-track approvals of intervention technologies are needed to help make our food even safer. 

Referring to strategies identified at the recent checkoff-funded Beef Industry E.coli Summit in January in San Antonio, session speakers gave an overview of the progress being made to combat E.coli within each of the five sectors in the beef production chain. Panelists included Alan Janzen, owner of Circle 5 Feedyard, Inc. in Hendersen, Neb.; Randy Huffman, American Meat Institute; Erika Voogd, food industry consultant; Darren Blass, Jack In The Box; and Jill Hollingsworth, Food Marketing Institute. 

“With funding from the check-off program, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) hosted the E.coli summit on behalf of the Cattlemen’s Beef Board and State Beef Councils, and called for hands-on participation by all sectors within the beef industry,” said Michelle Rossman, NCBA associate director for beef safety, and session moderator.  “More than 200 industry leaders attended and collectively pledged to further reduce the incidence of E. coli in the beef supply, and committed to implementing a series of industry-wide actions to achieve this goal.”

NCBA has maintained that feed additives, vaccines, and cattle cleaning systems are among the creative solutions currently being researched.  “Interventions such as direct-fed microbials, vaccines, chlorate, Tasco-14, and neomycin sulfate have proven effective in reducing the incidence of E.coli,” said Alan Janzen.  “Although some of the data from using some of these products is still preliminary, several of these interventions show promise. The next step is to expedite product approvals for proven technologies, and funding for additional research.” 

NCBA is carrying this message to policymakers and regulatory agencies.  In the weeks following the January E.coli Summit, NCBA has met with officials at USDA and FDA, and continues to call for a government-industry partnership to foster coordinated strategies and research efforts.

In remarks March 19, International Food Safety Council President John Farquharson lauded NCBA’s leadership and the beef industry in the fight against E.coli.  “There is no question the NCBA has the most current and best knowledge on this subject,” said Farquharson.