USDA Conditionally Approves New E. Coli O157:H7 Vaccine For Cattle

Posted on March 15, 2009 by Shawn Stevens

The USDA has granted a conditional license for the nation's first E. coli O157:H7 cattle vaccine. The vaccine is designed to reduce the level of E. coli O157:H7 in the intestines of host cattle, and to prevent the bacteria from spreading in feed lots.

Although additional efficacy tests still need to be conducted, the conditional license granted by the USDA will allow Epitopix LLC, the manufacturer of the vaccine, to begin offering the product for sale. The company developed the vaccine along with researchers from Kansas State University and West Texas A&M University.

During testing, researchers conducted a challenge study, a natural infection trial, and two large-pen field studies of the vaccine at commercial feedlots. According to reports, the vaccine reduced the number of cattle testing positive for the O157:H7 bacteria by 85 percent. Of the animals that did test positive for the pathogen, the vaccine reportedly eliminated 98 percent of the bacteria. "Those are impressive numbers," said Dr. Michael Doyle, director of the University of Georgia's Center for Food Safety. In turn, Jim Sandstrom, of Epitopix, confirmed that the vaccine “represents a significant breakthrough in the beef industry's ongoing effort to reduce E. coli O157:H7."

Following additional studies, Epitopix will likely gain full approval for the vaccine. The company estimates that, eventually, the vaccine will protect as many as 10 million cattle every year (about 1/4 of the country's annual cattle supply), and will likely cost less than $10 per head. One of the country's largest beef producers has already expressed interest in purchasing the vaccine.

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FSIS To Increase E. Coli O157:H7 Sampling

Posted on March 15, 2009 by Shawn Stevens

The Food Safety Inspection Service ("FSIS") has issued a new Notice (18-09), detailing its changes in sampling frequency for E. coli O157:H7 in raw ground beef. According to the notice, FSIS will be increasing sampling at high volume ground beef establishments at the following monthly rates:

  • Up to four times within a 30-day window for establishments with ground beef product production volumes of greater than 250,000 pounds per day;
  • Up to three times within a 30-day window for establishments with ground beef product production volumes of 50,000 to 250,000 pounds per day;
  • Up to two times within a 30-day window for establishments with ground beef product production volumes of 1,000 to 50,000 pounds per day; and
  • Generally, no more than once within a 30-day window for establishments with ground beef product production volumes of less than 1,000 pounds per day. However, FSIS will ensure that at these establishments at least one sample is collected quarterly.

According to the FSIS, the increase in sampling will allow the Agency to estimate the amount of uncontaminated raw ground beef with a higher degree of certainty. The Office of Public Health Science and the Office of Data Integration and Food Protection will analyze sample results, and will produce a weekly report on findings. According to the notice, the Office of Data Integration and Food Protection will also analyze the sampling data to identify trends (e.g., geographical, seasonal) and to evaluate program effectiveness (e.g. sample scheduling and collection rates). In addition, the data will be used to calculate a quarterly performance measure of E. coli O157:H7 in raw ground beef that will likely be included in the Agency’s quarterly performance report.

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