US egg producer responsible for outbreak knew of contamination for years

[Hannah Bell]

Laboratory test records indicate that Wright County Egg, the company involved in the largest egg recall in US history, was aware of the presence of dangerous pathogens at its egg production facilities for years before a mass food poisoning outbreak across the US. Environmental samples taken at Wright County Egg facilities from 2008 to 2010 tested positive for salmonella 426 times.

The records, released Tuesday by the congressional Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, show that Salmonella Enteritidis was found in 73 of the 426 samples taken from egg conveyor belts and other areas of the company’s barns.

This is the same strain of bacteria responsible for the sickening of untold thousands of people between May 1 and August 13, when the company announced a partial recall of eggs. Iowa-based Wright County Egg and the closely linked Hillandale Farms expanded the recall over the following week to encompass 550 million eggs sold throughout the country, becoming the largest egg recall in US history.

http://www.wsws.org/articles/2010/sep2010/eggs-s17.shtml

[LiberalAndProud]

1. So USDA grade means what.

I guess that stamp means 'this egg is as big as it looks'.

Incompetence and impotence in government agencies is precisely the reason that people rebel at paying taxes. It's understandable. Bush knew this. It's why FEMA was intentionally embarrassed during the worst natural disaster in my lifetime. (heckuva job brownie)

We need some major housecleaning. Out agencies need to earn some gravitas, or they need to be put out of our misery.

If government oversight means shit, what's the point?

[malaise]

3. No surprise here

Getting away with crimes and murder is the corporate way.

[madrchsod]

2. i noticed the other day that china has decided to

start hanging more business owners who produce poison foods....no such luck in the usa.

[liberalla]

4. Wow, I hadn't heard that. I bet it's a good deterrent.

I wish US food producers had something to be scared of.