Industry officials agree, but say the outbreak has prompted food companies to improve their sanitation efforts. The industry is opposed to increased regulation, but without mandates companies may be reluctant to test for the bacteria inside their plants and particularly in processed food. They fear that if they find it they'll face citations or costly recalls. And federal regulators are shackled by laws that prevent them from forcing quick changes. A MIchigan meat plant struggles with santiation.
Listeriosis outbreak begins in Tennessee, Ohio, New York and Connecticut.
Sara Lee starts damage control while the USDA still sits on the fence. A consumer hot line leaves callers cold. Enter the lawyers. Far from it. The government must put the public before the industry.