Harkin Calls for Better Listeria Control

December 9, 1999

Sen. Tom Harkin (D-IA) wants USDA to develop a comprehensive listeria control strategy for ready-to-eat meat and poultry products. Plant environment should be tested along with the actual products, says Harkin.

USDA took the "correct step" of issuing short-term guidelines on addressing listeria contamination of ready-to-eat products, says Harkin, but now needs to begin rule making to develop a permanent listeria control strategy for ready-to-eat products. Because listeria is found throughout a plant, Harkin believes USDA needs to mandate testing of the plant's environment and of its meat and poultry products.

"It seems pointless to have a bacteria control policy if we don't have adequate testing to find out whether it is working," Harkin said. "Listeria testing is necessary as a check to determine that the plant's systems for preventing microbial contamination are working. More can and should be done to ensure the safety of the food people eat."

USDA estimates 2.5% of all ready-to-eat products and 4.4% of hot dogs are contaminated with listeria, says Harkin, and more than 27 product recalls due to listeria have been implemented just this year.