2007 marked a drastic increase of recalled beef due to E. coli contamination, including the Topps Meat recall, the largest beef recall in U.S. history. There were 67 illnesses connected to the 20 recalls of 2007, as opposed to the 8 recalls with no illnesses in 2006. Scientists believe the recent flood of E. coli contamination (specifically the lethal 0157:H7 strain) may be connected to the use of distillers grain, an ethanol byproduct.
Ethanol production has greatly increased with the increasing demand for the use of ethanol as a fuel additive. This demand has driven up the price of corn which makes distillers grain much more affordable for cattle producers to use as feed. Researchers have been testing for a correlation between the use of distillers grain and E. coli 0157:H7 for a few years already. According to the Des Moines Register:
Researchers at Kansas State University noticed the possible E. coli connection to distillers grains in 2005. A second study found a twofold increase in E. coli levels in cattle fed the product compared with those that ate only corn. Research at the University of Nebraska showed mixed results. Cattle fed a diet comprising 10 percent to 30 percent distillers grains actually had lower rates of E. coli than cattle on a diet of all corn. But cattle fed 40 percent to 50 percent distillers grains showed higher E. coli rates.
The U.S. Meat Animal Research Center in Clay Center, Nebraska is currently conducting a large scale experiment to get to the bottom of this issue. According to the Associated Press:
The research involves 600 cattle. Half are being fed a traditional grain feed and half are being fed distiller’s grain. The research will wrap up in June after the cattle have been sold for slaughter and samples of their carcasses have been collected.
The cattle fed with distillers grains receive a diet of 40 percent distillers grains. The research will be a valuable insight into both the beef and ethanol industry. The study hopes to gain a greater understanding of E. coli 0157:H7 so that its dangerous effects can be prevented. The bacteria can cause stomach cramps and diarrhea that may turn bloody within one to three days. It can also be lethal to the elderly, children, and those with weak immune systems.
