Activity

Activity Description

A comprehensive review was conducted of a preliminary farm-to-table process risk assessment of the microbial pathogen E. coli O157:H7 in ground beef prepared by U.S. Department of Agriculture. The risk assessment comprises an examination of the occurrences and levels of the pathogen at points along the farm-to-table continuum and an attendant empirical model. The review included evaluations of the overarching logical structure of the risk assessment and the model, the validity and appropriateness of all input data used, the reasonableness of the assumptions made in the assessment and the anchoring approach that was taken, and the model's mathematics and equations. The committee offered observations on the preliminary risk assessment and recommendations for changes that should be considered for implementation in its final version.

The study was sponsored by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.