Topps Meat, whose frozen burgers have been a staple at backyard cookouts for generations, is closing its doors following a massive recall. Meanwhile, Wal-Mart Stores Inc.'s (NYSE: WMT) Sam's Club chain pulled a brand of beef patties from its shelves four children reportedly got sick.
This is unbelievable. The federal government has got to do a better job of ensuring the safety of our food supply. The Topps Meat recall is particularly disturbing since the meet in question was made in LATE JUNE AND JULY. Why did the 21.7 million pound recall -- which ABC news estimates is enough meet to make a McDonald's (NYSE: MCD) regular hamburger for every U.S. adult -- take so long? It was the second-largest beef recall in U.S. history, according to the Associated Press. To make matters worse, government officials say they don't know the "source of the E. coli contamination that appears to have sickened 32 people who ate its hamburgers," the AP said.
Though I don't expect the ranks of vegans to swell because of this massive recall, it may push more people to buy organic beef, which should help the likes of Whole Foods Markets Inc. (NYSE: WFMI) and Trader Joe's. Wal-Mart and big supermarket chains such as Albertsons may be encouraged to buy more meat from organic producers, such as Laura's Lean Beef, which don't use antibiotics or growth hormones.
Something has to be done or these recalls will continue.
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