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USDA widens meat probe
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August 19, 1997: 3:31 p.m. ET
Agency beefs up team inspecting Hudson Foods after hamburger recall
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COLUMBUS, Neb. (CNN) -- The Department of Agriculture increased the number of inspectors checking records at a beef processing plant Tuesday.
The USDA said five additional inspectors have been added to the two from its Inspector General's office who are checking records at Hudson Foods Inc. following the recall of hamburger patties contaminated with E. coli bacteria.
Hudson was forced to recall 1.2 million pounds of hamburger patties after the contamination was discovered. A total of 16 people reported becoming ill from eating the patties.
The company said Monday it will cooperate fully with the USDA inspection.
Hudson said it is continuing to process beef patties at the plant. It said the patties will be tested and frozen but won't be shipped until the USDA gives the plant an all clear.
The USDA said a second inspection team is continuing to look at the plant's meat processing operations.
Inspectors have said that the E. coli may have come into the plant on raw ingredients from slaughter houses. Inspectors also have said that if the plant wasn't following all sanitation procedures, that could have contributed to the spread of the E. coli contamination. 
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