Government expanding E. coli tests in meat

WASHINGTON, D.C. (AP) — The government is expanding E. coli testing in some raw meat, a move expected to prevent more people from contracting the bacteria that can cause severe illness or death.

Starting June 4, the meat industry will have to test beef trimmings for six new strains of E. coli that have been linked to a growing number of illnesses. Until now, the meat industry has been required to test for just one strain of the pathogen, known as E. coli O157:H7. That strain was identified after an outbreak at Jack in the Box fast-food restaurants killed four children.

But illnesses from that strain have decreased over the years, while more people have been sickened by other strains found in foods such as lettuce and ground beef. USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack said the change is needed to protect Americans from foodborne illnesses.

“We cannot ignore the evidence that these pathogens are a threat in our nation’s food supply,” Vilsack said last week.

Food safety advocates for years have been pushing the Obama administration to expand testing, but the change was delayed while the meat industry fought the proposal. The industry has said the tests are too expensive and there aren’t enough benefits.

The new tests will be conducted on beef trimmings – parts of the cow used to make ground beef – and expanded later to ground beef itself and other cuts.

Last year, the agency collected nearly 2,700 samples for testing from meat processing plants nationwide. That number won’t change, but each sample will now be tested for the six additional E. coli strains.

EAST ST. LOUIS, Ill. (AP) — A federal jury sided against ConAgra Foods, Inc. and a subcontractor Friday in awarding roughly $181 million in damages to three workers severely injured in a 2010 explosion at a southern Illinois grain elevator.

Omaha, Neb.-based ConAgra, one of the nation’s biggest food companies, swiftly vowed to appeal the outcome of the month-long trial, calling the accident tragic but insisting “we do not believe our actions caused the injuries.

“While we have insurance policies that we believe cover the full amount of this judgment, we will further defend our actions and practices as this case continues,” ConAgra said in a statement.

Jurors, after 10 hours of deliberations, assessed a total of $100 million in punitive damages that will be split among victims John Jentz of St. Peter, Minn., Robert Schmidt of Hutchinson, Minn., and Justin Becker of Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Compensatory damages include $41.5 million to Jentz, roughly $34 million to Becker and $2.9 million to Schmidt.

Jentz was awarded $1 million in additional punitive damages by Westside Salvage, Inc., ConAgra’s co-defendant.

Any such payouts would hinge on the outcome of ConAgra’s planned appeal, which could take months and more likely years to resolve. Crediting the jury as “very deliberative,” an attorney for Becker appeared unfazed by the prospect of a protracted appeal.

CRAWFORDSVILLE, Ind. (AP) — Police said a construction company owner died after being struck by a piece of machinery and falling from a grain bin at a central Indiana farm.

The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Department said 69-year-old Richard Lowe of Darlington fell about 35 feet and struck his head at the farm a few miles south of Crawfordsville. The Journal & Courier of Lafayette reported he owned Lowe’s Construction, which inspects and repairs old farm structures.

Chief Deputy Ryan Needham said Lowe and other employees were using a crane May 30 to remove a large sheet of metal when the crane struck Lowe, knocking him from the roof. The Journal Review reported Lowe wasn’t wearing a safety harness while working at the farm about 40 miles west of Indianapolis.

WASHINGTON, D.C. (AP) — President Barack Obama has signed legislation that renews the charter of the Export-Import Bank for three years and increases the bank’s lending cap to $140 billion from the current $100 billion. The bank is the government’s vehicle for promoting U.S. export sales.

Obama said the move will help thousands of businesses sell their products and services overseas and help them create jobs at home. The president said the independent federal agency is a key factor toward reaching his goal of doubling exports over five years.

Lawmakers passed the legislation earlier in May amid resistance from conservatives who argued the bank distorts the market. The bank had support from numerous business groups, including the Assoc. of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM).

“Funding from Ex-Im Bank not only helps U.S. manufacturers grow, but also has generated more than $3.4 billion for the American taxpayer since 2005,” stated AEM President Dennis Slater.

Last year the bank provided about $32 billion in loans, loan guarantees and credit financing, helping support 290,000 jobs.

Two bulls in Iowa test positive for venereal disease

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — State agriculture officials have issued a quarantine order for a facility where two bulls tested positive for a venereal disease in cattle.

The disease, bovine trichomoniasis, is a reportable disease in Iowa. Officials said there are no clinical signs of the disease in the bulls, but it can be spread to cows and it causes infertility. The department said Friday the quarantine will remain in place until further testing confirms the disease is no longer present in the herd. The facility was not identified.

Officials say this is the first known case of the disease in Iowa. There have been more than 200 cases in Missouri.