Recent Developments Regarding Beef Products Contaminated With Escherichia coli O157:H7; Public Meeting

The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is announcing that it will hold a public meeting on February 29, 2000, to discuss FSIS' policy regarding Escherichia coli (E. coli) O157:H7 and new information concerning the pathogen and its relation to human health. At this meeting, FSIS and other groups will present new data concerning the pathogen and new developments that may affect the Agency's policy. The purpose of this meeting is not to debate the policy that the Agency announced in January of 1999 (64 FR 2803) on the status of certain beef products contaminated with E. coli O157:H7 but to ensure that that policy is implemented based on the best available information and in a manner that will best protect public health. In addition, FSIS will allow time for comments and discussion regarding FSIS' testing procedures and other issues on E. coli O157:H7.