USDA Recalls Beef Intended for School Lunches in Georgia

The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced a recall of 40,000 pounds of ground beef products intended for Georgia school lunches. The agency suspected E. coli contamination in the meat, which was produced by Palo Duro Meat in Amarillo, Texas.
 
Thankfully, the majority of the beef products never left the warehouse, from which they were supposed to be distributed to various organizations, including six school districts.
 
A sample tracking error may have been the reason why the tainted beef were mixed in with commercial products, according the regulatory agency. Neither the USDA nor the company has received any reports of illness due to the contamination.
 
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), symptoms of an E. coli infection can result in watery or bloody diarrhea, fever, abdominal cramps, nausea, and vomiting. In young children, cases are more likely to be severe, with possible kidney failure and death.
 
“Because E. coli poses a grave risk to young children, it was fortunate that the USDA caught the contamination before it was distributed to schools,” remarks Joseph Frasca, Senior VP of EMSL Analytical, Inc. “However, the incident could have been avoided entirely, if the company had tested their product for food pathogens first. EMSL offers fast, inexpensive testing methods to detect E. coli.”
 
For more information on EMSL’s testing services, please contact EMSL at (800) 220-3675, visit www.EMSL.com or email info@EMSL.com.
 
About EMSL Analytical, Inc.
EMSL Analytical, Inc. is one of the leading testing laboratories with over 39 locations throughout the United States and Canada.  EMSL is a nationally recognized and locally focused provider specializing in radiological, consumer product, environmental, industrial hygiene, indoor air quality, microbiology, radon, food and materials testing services to professionals and the general public.  EMSL maintains an extensive list of accreditations from leading organizations as well as state and federal regulating bodies including, but not limited to A2LA, AIHA EMLAP, AIHA IHLAP, AIHA ELLAP, NVLAP, CDC Elite, CPSC, CA ELAP, NY ELAP, TX DOH, NJDEP and multiple other state accrediting agencies.  Please visit our website at www.EMSL.com for a complete listing of accreditations.
 

Contact Information

Joseph Frasca

Senior VP

EMSL Analytical Inc.

(1) 1-800-220-3675

jfrasca@emsl.com