USDA Seeks Power to Recall Tainted Meat

WASHINGTON — Citing his inability to force meatpackers to recall tainted products, Agriculture Secretary Dan Glickman on Friday asked Congress to give his department enhanced authority to protect consumers from food-borne illnesses.

“USDA needs more authority to act quickly and decisively to remove suspect products from the marketplace,” Glickman said, noting that last week’s recall of 25 million pounds of tainted hamburger, which were linked to an outbreak of food-borne illness in Colorado, was a voluntary move by Hudson Foods Co.

His initiative, if enacted, would authorize the Agriculture Department to order recalls of suspect meat products, impose civil fines against processors or shut down plants when there is “any willful or repeated violation of federal meat and poultry laws.”

Although opposition by the meatpacking industry has derailed similar proposals in the past, Glickman said he is convinced that growing public concern about food safety enhances prospects for passage of his proposal.

“We have asked for these authorities before, but I think the dynamics of the debate have changed a bit in light of recent events,” he said.

Glickman’s proposal is expected to draw vigorous opposition from the National Food Processors Assn., the American Meat Institute and other industry organizations.

“While we share the secretary’s concern that contaminated food be promptly removed from the marketplace, the current system has been effective in accomplishing this for decades,” said Dane Bernard, vice president for the NFPA’s food safety programs.

The Agriculture Department, Bernard said, “already has all the power it needs to assure that foods are recalled if necessary.” While such recalls technically are voluntary, he added, the department’s ability to withdraw inspectors and publicize safety problems “virtually guarantees that food companies will respond quickly to recall recommendations.”

Hudson Foods’ massive recall came after the discovery of a potentially deadly strain of E. coli bacteria in frozen hamburger patties manufactured at its processing plant in Nebraska.

The USDA, which was poring over records and practices at the plant in the wake of a earlier, smaller recall, made an implicit threat that it would withdraw its safety inspectors from the plant if a recall was not forthcoming. Hudson also closed the plant indefinitely.

“The implications of this recall have led us to ask Congress for prompt approval of this legislation,” Glickman said. He said the measure would be presented to Congress next week when the Senate and House return from a four-week summer break.

Glickman’s legislative proposal would give the department absolute authority to impose a recall, backed up by fines of up to $100,000 for any violations of federal safety standards.

Even if it receives the enhanced power, the department will continue to give processors an opportunity to recall products voluntarily, Glickman said. “The difference is, in those circumstances where they refuse, we can order the recall, and that is critical,” he said.

Glickman said the expanded authority would expedite the recall process once experts determine that one is necessary. “These new tools will ensure a rapid response throughout the commercial food chain: plants, processors, retailers, restaurants,” he said.

Similar reform measures were introduced in Congress in 1994 and 1996, but failed to attract enough support to secure passage.

Glickman expressed confidence his proposal will be better received in Congress this year. “When the public speaks, their elected representatives listen,” he said, citing the Hudson Foods problem.

Sen. Patrick J. Leahy (D-Vt.) agreed that “the mood in Congress is changing.” He said the time has come “to update the 90-year-old meat inspection law by giving USDA this recall authority.”

Public health authorities say millions of Americans become ill every year because of contaminated food, and an estimated 9,000 people die annually from food poisoning.

In addition to meat and poultry, food-borne illnesses also are associated with such products as eggs, fruit and vegetables. Those foods are regulated by the Food and Drug Administration, which said it will ask Congress for powers similar to those sought by Glickman.