Ag Dept to name retailers during recalls

Tag : Beef Meat

The planned rule change comes in the wake of the nation'sbiggest-ever beef recall _ 143 million pounds from a slaughterhousein Southern California.
Under the new rule, which is expected to be published next week andtake effect 30 days later, retailers' names will be posted on theAgriculture Department Web site during so-called "ClassI" meat and poultry recalls _ those deemed to pose a definitepublic health risk.
Currently when there is a meat recall, the Agriculture Departmentmakes public the name of the establishment recalling the meat, adescription of the recalled product, and any identifying brandnames or product codes. But the public is not told where it isbeing sold.
That would change under the new rule. But because it is limited toClass I recalls, the Southern California recall would not actuallyhave been affected. It was classified as "Class II"because authorities determined there was minimal health risk.
Agriculture Secretary Edward Schafer said disclosing retailers'names during Class I recalls will allow the public to know whentheir health is at risk without creating unnecessary confusion orfear.
"When you have a public health risk, people need toknow," Schafer said.
"When it isn't a public health risk, we don't want the publicto be confused that this is something that can harm you. ... Wedon't want to unnecessarily scare the public."
The decision drew mixed reactions. The meat industry, which hasopposed any retailer disclosure, contended that the change may hurtconsumers more than it helps them, because information may beincomplete or out-of-date.
"We want consumers to get the most accurate information, andwe think this could really confuse them," said Janet Riley,spokeswoman for the American Meat Institute.
Some consumer groups and lawmakers praised the new rule but said itdidn't go far enough, while others criticized it outright for beinglimited to Class I recalls.
"If we are serious about protecting consumers from unsafefoods, it is critical that this information be provided for allrecalls," said Rep. Rosa DeLauro , D-Conn., who has pushed for years for publication of retailers'names during recalls, something the Bush administration initiallyopposed altogether.