Listeria Rule Moves Forward - Archive

Archive:

Published: 02/28/2001

Printable Version
Email to a Friend

Listeria Rule Moves Forward

Feb., 28 2001
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Bush administration recently announced that it has approved a proposed rule that requires producers of hot dogs and other ready-to-eat meats to conduct periodic testing for listeria bacteria, which, according to estimates by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, causes 2,300 hospitalizations and 500 deaths per year.

The proposal was left over from the Clinton administration, and had been put on hold by the Card memo, issued during Bush’s first day in office, which directed agencies to halt all regulatory activity. New Agriculture Secretary Ann Veneman requested an exception to the freeze, and was granted it, marking a major victory for food safety.

Click here to read the reaction of the Center for Science in the Public Interest.