Under a new USDA policy, the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) will launch traceback investigations earlier when the Agency finds E. coli O157:H7 through its routine sampling program. When FSIS receives an indication of E. coli contamination, it says it will move quickly to identify the supplier of the product and any processors that received contaminated product from the supplier, once confirmation is received.
“The additional safeguards we are announcing today will improve our ability to prevent foodborne illness by strengthening our food safety infrastructure,” says USDA Under Secretary for Food Safety Dr. Elisabeth Hagen. “Together, these measures will provide us with more tools to protect our food supply, resulting in stronger public health protections for consumers.”