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USDA to List Retailers in Meat Recalls

But measure doesn't go far enough, critics charge

July 14, 2008

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Responding to repeated requests by Congress and consumer groups over the years, the U.S. Department of Agriculture has finally agreed to begin listing retail stores receiving meat and poultry products involved in Class I recalls - those of the most serious concern to public health.

Critics lambasted USDA earlier this year for refusing to reveal the names of stores and schools that sold and used beef recalled by Westland/Hallmark Meat, citing privacy concerns -- and they're not satisfied with the new rule.

Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.) said the new rule does not go far enough and would not have applied to the Westland/Hallmark recall, which was a Class II case.

Earlier this year, DeLauro (D-CT) introduced legislation that would require USDA to list all the retail stores and school districts that have received food products that were subjected to a USDA recall. The measure has at least 10 co-sponsors.

"During the historic Westland/Hallmark recall of 143 million pounds of beef, consumers were denied important information about which stores or schools received the recalled products," DeLauro said. "Instead, consumers were forced to rely on sporadic media reports, which were not comprehensive and resulted in additional confusion.

"When a food safety recall occurs, consumers should be able to know which stores or schools received the potentially contaminated products so that they can better protect their families, and this bill would accomplish just that," DeLauro said.

The new policy goes into effect next month, according to Secretary of Agriculture Ed Schafer.

"The identity of retail stores with recalled meat and poultry from their suppliers has always been a missing piece of information for the public during a recall," said Schafer. "People want to know if they need to be on the lookout for recalled meat and poultry from their local store and by providing lists of retail outlets during recalls, USDA's Food Safety Inspection Service will improve public health protection by better informing consumers."

USDA's Food Safety Inspection Service will post on its Web site a list of retail stores that receive products subject to Class I recalls, the highest risk category, generally within three to ten business days of issuing the recall release. A Class I recall is one that involves a reasonable probability of serious health consequences or death for those with weakened immune systems.

Retail stores include supermarkets or other grocery stores, convenience stores, meat markets, wholesale clubs and supercenters. FSIS will not identify distribution centers, institutions or restaurants, since they prepare food for immediate consumption without packaging that is identifiable or available to consumers.

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