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DuPont, USDA to Develop Better E. Coli Test

By Pritzker | Ruohonen

According to CNN, DuPont & Co. will be working with the USDA’s Agricultural Research Service (ARS) to develop a new test to detect the potentially lethal E. coli 0157:H7 bacteria. The research team will work at the U.S. Meat Animal Research Center (USMARC) in Clay Center, Nebraska.

More than 30 million pounds of ground beef were recalled last year due to E. coli 0157:H7 and the research will use the Qaulicon BAX system to test for the bacteria.  The system is already used to detect fooborne pathogens such as E. coli, Salmonella, and Listeria, among others.

According to the DuPont website,

“We are committed to providing the meat industry with testing applications that use the best science available.  This agreement allows us to work with experts from the USDA ARS toward our common goal of an E. coli O157:H7 test that is even faster, more accurate and more efficient,” said Kevin Huttman, president, DuPont Qualicon.

"Our mission is to develop scientific information and new technology to solve high priority problems for the U.S. beef, sheep and swine industries," said Mohammad Koohmaraie, USMARC director.  "In the case of E. coli O157:H7 detection, we're looking at collaborative ways to quickly develop a new test."

Full post as published by Food Poisoning Law Blog on February 28, 2008 (boomark / email).