USDA Shuts Down Beef
Plant Over E. Coli

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Agriculture Department took action last Friday to shut down a beef processing plant in Nebraska that had recently recalled more than 600,000 pounds of meat because of E. coli contamination.

USDA withdrew its inspectors from the BeefAmerica Operating Co. plant in Norfolk, Neb., claiming it had discovered repeated violations of sanitation rules governing fecal contamination and other problems that the company had previously been warned about.

Removal of federal meat inspectors effectively closes a processing plant.

"This decision is based on your inability to maintain and operate your facility in a sanitary manner," Fernando Siores, USDA's inspector in charge, said in a letter to BeefAmerica.

Among the problems cited by USDA were contamination with animal fecal matter, the source of E. coli and other dangerous bacteria, on finished beef products and some ready for shipment.

In addition, USDA found peeling paint on surfaces that come into contact with meat and hydraulic fluid and blood was observed dripping on equipment.

"Your corrective actions have been ineffective," Siores wrote. "You have failed to prevent direct product contamination and adulteration."

In two separate tests, one at a Virginia store and one at the plant, USDA found E. coli bacteria in ground beef produced at the Nebraska plant. The company last week recalled 169,000 pounds of beef and in October recalled more than 443,000 pounds.

No illnesses were reported in either recall, but the USDA letter says the BeefAmerica is not properly testing for E. coli contamination.

BeefAmerica was ordered to draft by Nov. 7 a written plan with "acceptable corrective actions" to fix the problems before USDA inspectors will return.

Bob Norton, the company's CEO, said he was shocked and disappointed by the Agriculture Department's action. He said company officials are working with inspectors to correct the problems.

"We have worked with the USDA inspectors continuously and we had no warning of this," he said. "They told us nothing of this."