Even as a deadly Escherichia Coli (E. Coli) sickness wave grips Europe, alarming countries on both sides of the Atlantic ocean, the US federal government takes forward its research of many years to help keep the dangerous E. Coli bacteria out of the food supply chain. The problem, however, is taking a more urgent shape with each passing day. As a result, after having waited for too long for the regulating agencies to act upon the problem, two American companies have gone ahead with their own efforts to protect the Americans from this onslaught on public health. The two companies are Beef Products Inc. and Costco Wholesale.  

These efforts are manifested in the suppliers of Costco testing their produce for a broad range of E. Coli before packing the produce for further supply. This produce includes salad greens, carrots, and apple slices. The suppliers started doing these tests about 15 days ago.

Industry Efforts

Costco is also planning to test the ground beef sold by it through its warehouse stores. The tests are already being planned for the hamburger as well as the beef trimmings that go into making it. In fact the company is not leaving anything to chance as it asked its suppliers of the beef trimmings to start conducting tests on their own.

Cause of Illness 

On their part, the US public health experts are busy conducting tests of their own, which would throw some more light on these deadly bacteria. The experts have found that there are six rarer forms of these bacteria, which were responsible for a number of disease outbreaks. These six forms are also known as the “Big Six.”

According to the experts, it was through tainted sprouts that the European illness outbreak took place. The cause of the outbreak was another rare form of E. Coli, 0104:H4, which, however, has not been found to cause any illness in America so far. But what is also true is that this strain also does not figure in the Big Six, which the US experts have uncovered.

The new testing requirements are being planned by these two major companies because even after spending four years of study on the E. Coli threat, the US Department of Agriculture’s proposal to handle the “Big Six” remains stalled.

Government View

Although, so far the government was dragging its feet on the issue, the recent outbreak in Germany has changed the scenario, with the US food industry more eager than ever to see the government take appropriate action in this regard.

Till then, the public will have to pray that the Costco company’s efforts bear fruit soon.

Image Credit: structmed.cimr.cam.ac.uk, ifood.tv