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The public does not need to know which turkey plants have been contaminated by a deadly strain of Salmonella that has infected people in 35 states, federal officials said in a strong statement.
In addition, organizations such as Consumer Reports and the Center for Science in the Public Interest should not be concerned about how the USDA manages the outbreak investigation, as far as government officials are concerned.
"… It would be extremely irresponsible and irresponsible to associate producers with an outbreak investigation, when a link between an institution and an illness has not been established. It does not help consumers either, "said the US Department of Agriculture's November 14th press release.
"Follow-up surveys are conducted in the field, not Monday morning, in the comfort of an urban skyscraper in New York or K Street in Washington, DC, accompanied by a request for funding."
The USDA statement, forwarded by a public affairs specialist by e-mail, did not quote any agency official. It repeats much of what has been said – and not said – since the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced the outbreak in July.
From the beginning, the government reported that USDA inspection and food safety officers had discovered the epidemic strain of Salmonella Reading in several slaughterhouses and turkey processing facilities during "tests." routinely according to (federal) performance standards for Salmonella. Do not say where these facilities are located or who they belong to.
News on food security USDA officials asked USDA officials when their inspectors collected the positive samples, but did not provide the information.
The CDC said the first known patient became ill on November 20, 2017. As of November 5, the most recent date of onset of illness was October 20. However, people who became ill after October 3 may not be reported yet. because it can run from 14 to 28 days between the moment a person falls ill and the moment when his illness is confirmed and reported in the laboratory.
In its latest update, the CDC announced that 164 people in 35 states have been confirmed infected with the relatively rare and virulent strain of Salmonella Reading. At least 63 were admitted to hospitals. A person is dead.
Many patients remember especially having handled turkey or raw pet food, or eating turkey a few days before their illness. Turkey samples taken from some of the patient's homes were tested positive for the Salmonella Reading epidemic strain.
The CDC and the USDA are trying to find out where the patients bought the positive test turkey and which brands are involved.
"We have interviewed patients, reviewed receipt and acquisition card data, and tested all products that patients still have," according to the USDA release. "All this information is necessary to send back to a supplier or an establishment. … If we had specific products on which we could alert consumers with a public health alert, we would issue one.
"At the moment, consumers only have actionable information to remind them that this is an ongoing investigation and that aAlways handle the raw turkey carefully and cook thoroughly to avoid food poisoning. This outbreak is a reminder that raw turkey products can have germs that spread through food preparation areas and can make you sick. (italic published by the USDA). "
Consumer groups want to know why the public can not know
Just hours before the USDA statement yesterday, Consumer Reports asked the agency to disclose the names of the owners of the 22 turkey slaughterhouses and the seven processing facilities where it discovered the epidemic strain of Salmonella.
"This information could save lives and help consumers take the necessary precautions to prevent their loved ones from getting sick," said Jean Halloran, director of consumer policy initiatives at Consumer Reports.
Consumer Reports also asked the USDA to rank the dangerous strains of Salmonella as the epidemic strain as an adulter, so that foods that contain it can not be sold.
The Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) also issued a statement this week calling on the government to err on the side of the public instead of corporations. In line with Consumer Reports' statement, CSPI pointed out that the epidemic strain of Salmonella Reading was resistant to several antibiotics, making it even more important for the federal government to disclose information.
"The US Department of Agriculture knows more about the turkey products involved in this epidemic than it reveals to the media or the American people. The agency detected the epidemic strain in raw turkey samples from 22 slaughter establishments and 7 processing plants, but did not publish their names, "said Sarah Sorscher, Assistant Director of Regulatory Affairs. of the CSPI.
"We urge the USDA to name these establishments. It is the government's responsibility to ensure that turkeys heading to Thanksgiving tables do not harbor antibiotic-resistant bacteria that have caused disease and death in humans. And if he can not do that, he should at least help consumers avoid the dirty turkey. "
USDA does not pull a fist
Transparency demands do not seem to have any weight with the USDA. The agency's statement indicates that it already divulges large amounts of information on more than 40,000 raw poultry samples it collects annually from more than 6,400 regulated establishments.
"The agency makes available millions of data points every year and every month, new reports on sampling results and food safety of establishments are added – all with the aim of satisfying the appetite of stakeholders for a more accessible regulator, "according to the USDA press release. .
"We will continue to do it. In fact, special interest groups would have no window on the federal government's investigation of this epidemic if FSIS had not shared information with them. "
The statement by the federal agency made the public debate more personal with regard to requests for information from defenders.
"It is insulting to suggest that the agency would not go forward if we had actionable information. FSIS is a public health agency that is advancing when science can form the foundation of our plan of action, and not when the emotions or pressures of the for-profit industry or groups of people. special interests require it. "
All together now
All government agencies, consumer groups and industry associations have agreed since the CDC announced the July outbreak, it is the need for strict food safety practices in homes, restaurants and businesses. other catering establishments.
The USDA and the turkey industry are also strongly encouraging the public to adopt the traditional Thanksgiving bird this year.
"For consumers, the bottom line is that all turkeys are safe when they are cooked and handled well," according to the National Federation of Turkey. "The turkey industry remains committed to reducing salmonella and exploring scientific and technological innovations that can help control natural pathogens in food products."
The USDA's statement on the outbreak yesterday did not stop with the agency's commitment to continue its investigation and to disclose "information that may action on turkey and its products as they become available. It included advice and insurance.
"When families start their vacation plans, they may wonder what that means for them. The answer is simple Salmonella is prevalent and can be present in raw meat and poultry and in live poultry – no raw meat or poultry is sterile, "said the USDA.
"Consumers can protect themselves by cooking their turkey, other poultry products and their meat thoroughly. The cooking process kills salmonella. Nobody should eat partially cooked or raw turkey. In addition, it is essential that people wash their hands after handling raw poultry, meat and pet food in order to avoid cross-contamination of other foods, from containers to spices or cooking surfaces.
"FSIS will continue to work with our public health partners to publish information as soon as it becomes available and take action as soon as we have evidence. … In the meantime, it is important for consumers to know that they can safely buy and consume these products. "
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