Food Expert Says Ground Beef Not Entirely Safe

Ground beef contamination has been blamed for 16 outbreaks of E. coli over the past three years, including one that left a young woman paralyzed from the waist down.  This past summer, tainted beef was recalled from 3,000 grocery stores in 41 states.  In an effort to reduce manufacturing costs, producers are using a variety of cuts of beef from numerous sources, including those from outside the United States. In addition, there is no federal requirement that meat grinders be tested for the virulent pathogen. These factors are contributing to a rise in contamination, resulting in more seriously ill people.  10/03 NY Times