FSIS (the USDA’s food safety and inspection service) has had a standardized test for Non-O157 STECs now for some time, but has not taken the step of designating these bad bugs as “adulterants” in the meat supply.  So the reason why is not related to having the ability to meaningfully monitor for non-O157 STECs.  O157 testing has undoutedly had a positive effect in reducing the incidence of O157 in our meat supply (see Ground Beef and E. coli: what kind of summer will it be?).  So the reason why is also not that declaring non-O157 strains adulterants will not have an effect.  And neither have non-O157 STEC outbreaks been all that uncommon (see below).  So, then, what is the reason? 

Here is a list of non-O157 STEC outbreaks since 1990.  Not all were caused by contaminated ground beef, but the point is that non-O157 STECs are quite common in the environment, and warrant additional regulatory measures, as well as the beef industry safeguards that will follow FSIS’s action in declaring them adulterants.  The following list is courtesy of www.outbreakdatabase.com: 

• Idaho Correctional Center 2010
• Freshway Foods Romaine Lettuce E. coli O145 outbreak 2010
• Minnesota Day Care 2008
• Country Cottage E. coli O111 Outbreak (2008)
• Belgian Pasteurized Ice Cream O145 and O26 Outbreak (2007)
• Petting Zoo E. coli O145 Outbreak (2007)
• North Dakota Wedding Reception E. coli O145 Outbreak (2007)
• Jefferson County Jail multi-strain non-O157 Outbreak (2007)
• North Dakota Elementary School E. coli O111 Outbreak (2007)
• Maine Day Care E. coli O111 Outbreak (2007)
• Wendy’s lettuce E. coli O121:H19 Outbreak (2006)
• Fruit E. coli O26 Outbreak (2006)
• Nebraska Day Care O121 outbreak (2006)
• North Carolina Farm E. coli O45 Outbreak (2006)
• New York Prison Food Worker E. coli O45:NM outbreak (2005)
• Dupage County Restauran E. coli O169:H41 (2005)
• Camp Yamhill drinking water E. coli O145 outbreak (2005)
• Olive Garden E. coli O169:H41 outbreak (2005)
• New York apple cider E. coli O111 outbreak (2005)
• Sushi multi-strain non-O157 outbreak (2004)
• South Dakota Day Care E. coli O111 (2001)
• Minnesota Beach E. coli O26 outbreak (2001)
• Minnesota Day Camp Animal Contact E. coli O111 Outbreak (2001)
• Minnesota Day camp Animal Contact E. coli O111 Outbreak (2000)
• Seemerrolle E. coli O26:H11 Outbreak (2000)
• Punch E. coli O1O3 (2000)
• Minnesota Day Care E. coli O145 Outbreak (1999)
• Lake Water E. coli O121:H19 Outbreak (1999)
• Texas Cheerleader Camp E. coli O111:H8 outbreak (1999)
• Iwan’s Deli E. coli O6:H16 outbreak (1998)
• Parsley E. coli O6:H16 outbreak (1998)
• Montana Milk 1994, E. coli O104:H21
• Carrots E. coli O6:NM 1993)
• Minnesota restaurant E. coli O39:NM 1993