Personal Injury Law

Company Expands Beef Recall - Holds Back Key Information From Public

By Pierce Egerton

The mixed-up priorities of so many corporate stuffed suits can be astounding!

CNN is reporting the expansion of a recall by JBS Swift Beef Company of Greeley Colorado. The initial recall last week involved about 41,000 lbs of beef possibly contaminated with E. coli. Yesterday the recall was extended to another 380,000 lbs of beef. The affected beef was distributed within the United States and internationally.

The original recall grew out of an "investigation into 24 illnesses in multiple states, of which at least 18 appear to be associated," according to a statement from the USDA.

The USDA statement identifies the establishment number and date stamp for the recalled products. However, as the statement makes clear, this information is of little value to consumers because "these products were sent to establishments and retail stores nationwide for further processing and will likely not bear the establishment number . . . on products available for direct consumer purchase."

What's outrageous is JBS' failure to publicly disclose the names of the companies that bought the recalled meat. Rather, JBS says it will notify these companies by phone.

That's simply not acceptable! When the public health is involved, we as consumers should be immediately informed about which companies purchased the recalled beef and what products may contain recalled beef.

In the absence of a clear statement about which products may contain recalled beef how can I know that any beef product I serve my family is safe?

Full post as published by Greensboro Personal Injury Lawyer on June 29, 2009 (boomark / email).