The items taken from shelves goes beyond meat. It includes beef-based soups, sauces, burritos and cubes. Craig Henry, senior vice president of the GMA, said it will take the association several weeks to estimate the volume of recalled beef products.
While the volume and amount of recalled beef products is staggering, after two weeks of recall, no evidence of food contamination or illness has been reported. The U.S. Department of Agriculture said the chances that American consumers will be at risk is remote.
Because of the minimal risk involved, some grocers consider the recall an over reaction. William Marler, a lawyer for one of the plaintiff's handling E. coli cases described the massive recall as "an enormous waste of resources." Marler added, "Recalls should be reserved for products that put the public at risk, and this isn't it."
The USDA maintained this recall should not be treated differently from other food recalls in the past, following an increase in E. coli contaminations connected with meat recalls.
Henry said the Westland recall tests the capability of food manufacturers to track their ingredients. Beef placed in a soup mix, after all, has gone through several processes including grinding, seasoning and blending with other ingredients. Henry advised consumer who doubt the safety of their beef products to check from the manufacturer.
The previous record holder for meat recall in the U.S. was in 1999 when 35 millions of ready-to-eat meats were pulled off from grocery shelves.
