미국 농무부는 미국 캘리포니아 소재 ‘헌팅턴 미트 패킹사(Huntington Meat Packing Inc)’가 자신들이 생산한 분쇄육 86만4천파운드(390톤)에 대해 병원성 대장균 O157:H7에 감염되었을 가능성이 높다는 이유로 자발적 리콜을 실시한다고 발표했습니다.

이번 리콜은 건강에 대한 위험성이 높은 1등급 리콜조치입니다. 1980년대 초 레이건정부의 검역검사에 대한 민영화, 자유화 조치의 일환으로  미국에서는 이러한 리콜조치도 축산가공회사의 자발성에 기초해 시행되고 있습니다.(건강 상 위험성이 높은 리콜조치는 강제로 실시해야 하는 것이 올바르다고 생각합니다.)

리콜 대상 분쇄육 제품에는 “EST. 17967″(작업장번호 17967)이 명기되어 있으며,  2010년 1월 5일~2010년 1월 20일 사이에 생산된 제품이라고 합니다.

그런데 문제가 된 리콜 대상 분쇄육 제품의 일부는 약 2년 전에 생산되었다고 합니다. 2008년 2월 19일~2008년 5월 15일 사이에 생산된 EST. 17967(작업장 번호 17967)이 명기된 헌팅턴 미트 패킹사(Huntington Meat Packing Inc)의 쇠고기 제품은 캘리포니아 내 유통 센터와 식당, 호텔로 판매되었다고 합니다.

일반적으로 이러한 분쇄육 제품들은 신선한 상태로 소비가 되지만, 헌팅턴 미트 패킹사가 이러한 조치를 취하는 것은 아직도 냉장고 속에서 냉동된 상태로 남아 있거나 상업적으로 판매되고 있을 우려가 있기 때문이라고 합니다.(현재 리콜 대상 제품을 섭취하고 문제가 발생한 사람에 대한 보고는 아직까지 없다고 합니다)

대만 의회의 여야 의원들은 최근 여야합의에 의해 미국산 쇠고기 제품 중 내장, 분쇄, 머리 등 6개 부위의 수입을 금지하는 법률 개정안을 통과시켰습니다.

분쇄육은 병원성 대장균 O157, 살모넬라, 리스테리아 등 식중독 세균에 오염되었을 가능성이 높아 식품안전에 위협을 가하는 제품으로 한국에서도 미국산 쇠고기의 분쇄육 제품의 수입을 금지할 필요가 있다고 생각합니다.

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California Firm Recalls Beef Products Due to Possible E. coli O157:H7 Contamination

출처 : 미농무부 식품안전검사청 리콜뉴스 http://www.fsis.usda.gov/News_&_Events/Recall_004_2010_Release/index.asp

Recall Release CLASS I RECALL FSIS-RC-004-2010 HEALTH RISK: HIGH Congressional and Public Affairs (202) 720-9113 Adrian Gianforti WASHINGTON, January 18, 2010 - Huntington Meat Packing Inc., a Montebello, Calif. establishment, is recalling approximately 864,000 pounds of beef products that may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today. The problem was discovered during a Food Safety Assessment (FSA) by FSIS personnel. The FSA led to the determination that a further investigation of establishment records was warranted. The investigation is ongoing and the following products are subject to recall. The following products, consisting of all ground beef products produced by the plant from January 5, 2010 to January 15, 2010, are subject to recall: 40 lb. boxes of “Huntington Meats Ground Beef” 40 lb. boxes of “HUNTINGTON MEAT PKG. INC. BEEF GROUND FOR FURTHER PROCESSING” 40 lb. boxes of “BEEF BURRITO FILLING MIX” 10 lb. boxes of “IMPERIAL MEAT CO. GROUND BEEF PATTY” 20 lb. boxes of “IMPERIAL MEAT CO. GROUND BEEF PATTY” 10 lb. boxes of “El Rancho MEAT & PROVISION ALL BEEF PATTIES” Each box bears the establishment number “EST. 17967″ inside the USDA mark of inspection on a label. The products were produced between January 5, 2010, and January 15, 2010, and were shipped to distribution centers, restaurants, and hotels within the State of California. FSIS has received no reports of illnesses associated with consumption of these products. Individuals concerned about an illness should contact a physician. During a subsequent review of the establishment’s records, FSIS also determined additional products produced and shipped in 2008 to be adulterated because they may have been contaminated with E. coli O157:H7. As a result, the following products produced from February 19, 2008 to May 15, 2008, are subject to recall: 40 lb. boxes of “Huntington Meats Ground Beef” 40 lb. boxes of ” HUNTINGTON MEAT PKG. INC. BEEF GROUND FOR FURTHER PROCESSING” 40 lb. boxes of “BEEF BURRITO FILLING MIX” 10 lb. boxes of “IMPERIAL MEAT CO. GROUND BEEF PATTY” 20 lb. boxes of “IMPERIAL MEAT CO. GROUND BEEF PATTY” 10 lb. boxes of “El Rancho MEAT & PROVISION ALL BEEF PATTIES” Each box bears the establishment number “EST. 17967″ inside the USDA mark of inspection on a label. The products were produced between February 19, 2008, and May 15, 2008, and were shipped to distribution centers, restaurants, and hotels within the State of California. While these products are normally used fresh, the establishment is taking this action out of concern that some product may still be frozen and in commerce. FSIS has received no reports of illnesses associated with consumption of these recalled products. Individuals concerned about an illness should contact a physician. E. coli O157:H7 is a potentially deadly bacterium that can cause bloody diarrhea, dehydration, and in the most severe cases, kidney failure. The very young, seniors and persons with weak immune systems are the most susceptible to foodborne illness. FSIS routinely conducts recall effectiveness checks to verify recalling firms notify their customers (including restaurants) of the recall and that steps are taken to make certain that the product is no longer available to consumers. FSIS advises all consumers to safely prepare their raw meat products, including fresh and frozen, and only consume ground beef or ground beef patties that have been cooked to a temperature of 160?F. The only way to be sure ground beef is cooked to a high enough temperature to kill harmful bacteria is to use a food thermometer to measure the internal temperature. Media and consumer questions regarding the recall should be directed to the company owner, Robert Glenn, at (888) 894-8242. Consumers with food safety questions can “Ask Karen,” the FSIS virtual representative available 24 hours a day at AskKaren.gov. The toll-free USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline 1-888-MPHotline (1-888-674-6854) is available in English and Spanish and can be reached from l0 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Eastern Time) Monday through Friday. Recorded food safety messages are available 24 hours a day.