E. coli-tainted Beef 248,000 Pound Recall

Twenty-one people in 16 states have been infected in recent days with a potentially lethal strain of E. coli bacteria, after consuming beef in restaurants supplied by the same Oklahoma meat company, federal officials said.  The outbreak spurred the company, National Steak and Poultry, to voluntarily recall 248,000 pounds of beef December 24.

Nine of the 21 sickened have been hospitalized, the USDA reported. The department has identified cases in six states -- Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, South Dakota and Washington.

The recall is considered a "class 1" or a "high health risk" by the USDA, which regulates the meat industry, because among the pathogens that can harm human health, E. coli O157:H7 is one of the most lethal. Even for those who survive, there can be long-term health effects.

Part of the problem is that the USDA really does little to regulate the meat industry.

Part of the solution is stop eating beef.