Meat Company Blames E. Coli on Supplier
AP reported that the company that distributed hamburger patties believed to have sickened at least three children with E. coli bacteria is blaming the contamination on the slaughterhouse that processed the meat.
Steve Wood, vice president for Merced-based Richwood Meat Co. Inc., said he does not know which slaughterhouse provided the meat. Richwood receives raw, boneless meat from suppliers and turns it into hamburger patties and other products.
The recalled products are hamburger patties and ground beef sold under the brands Fireriver, Chef's Pride, Ritz Food, Blackwood Farms, California Pacific Associates, C&C Distributing, Golbon and Richwood.
Still with all of the evidence no one thinks about the safety issues directly connected to these meats and other food products being transported in reefer trailers infected with high levels of bacteria (including e coli). I wonder if the trucks that hauled the contaminated meats picked up other loads after they were unloaded. If not I wonder if they were sanitized when they came back to load more meat at the locker.
Cross contamination is so evident but I am really beginning to wonder who cares. I guess a media blitz with the facts of the the conditions of the equipment transporting our foods is what needs to be done. Doesn't anyone care about the consumer?