000604 Clinton Says Meat Plants “Undermine” Food Safety

Washington - President Bill Clinton said a small number of US meat processing plants were trying to overturn the government's fledgling food safety program that has succeeded in reducing salmonella contamination.

Government lawyers are trying to decide how to fight a federal judge's ruling that barred the US Department of Agriculture from closing a meat plant which flunks government salmonella tests.

The court decision, which found in favor of Supreme Beef Processing Inc., is viewed by many industry and consumer groups as a crucial test case of the USDA's revamped meat inspection program that relies more on scientific testing and safety checkpoints.

“Unfortunately, a small minority of meat plants are acting against the best interests of the American people,” Clinton said in a statement. “They threaten to undermine an inspection system that is clearly effective in reducing food poisoning, jeopardizing the confidence that consumers have in the safety of the food they eat,” he added.

The administration made sweeping changes in meat and poultry inspection procedures in 1996 as part of a series of measures to make food safer for consumers.

The White House takes credit for reducing salmonella contamination on raw meat and poultry by as much as 50% during the past two years. “The Justice Department has vigorously defended this vital program and will decide on an expedited basis what further legal action to take,” Clinton said.

The USDA said that the ruling by US Judge Joe Fish of Dallas affected the Supreme Beef plant, and that it would continue to use salmonella testing in other US plants.

Supreme Beef and other members of the National Meat Association maintain that the USDA salmonella tests do not fairly measure a plant's cleanliness and sanitary conditions.

Salmonella is a foodborne bacteria that can cause diarrhea in healthy adults, and much more severe illnesses in young children, cancer patients, the elderly and others with weak immune systems.

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