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U.S. Statement on Report of Japan's Escherichia Coli O157:H7 Finding Released by the U.S. Embassy, Tokyo, Japan, August 28, 1996.

The Japanese Ministry of Health and Welfare has informed the U.S Embassy in Tokyo that it is today (August 28, 1996) announcing the laboratory confirmation of Escherichia coli O157:H7 bacteria in a sample of imported American beef offal (intestines). The U.S. Department of Agriculture was notified that the shipment from which the sample was taken was not released for sale on the domestic Japanese market and was voluntarily destroyed by the importer.

The reported finding of a positive E. coli O157:H7 in a sample taken from raw bovine intestines confirms well documented evidence showing that human pathogens can occur in uncooked animal products.

E. coli O157:H7 appears to colonize the gastrointestinal tract of cattle without causing illness to the animal. The organism has been isolated from the feces of cattle in the U.S. and other countries throughout the world. That E. coil O157:H7 might be found in any raw bovine intestines -- a product that must be further processed or cooked to eliminate the danger of foodborne illness to humans--is not surprising.

Based on evidence that even very low levels of E. coli O157:H7 and other invisible microorganisms cause foodborne illness, USDA has pioneered a new regulatory system that will require industry to meet scientific microbiological standards to reduce the risk of foodborne pathogens in meat and poultry.

Consumers and retail food handlers of raw animal products must properly store, handle and cook these products, in addition to guarding against cross contamination by bacteria of preparation surfaces and other foods.

The U. S. Department of Agriculture continues to work with the Ministry of Health and Welfare to ensure that Japanese Consumers have the safest and most nutritious product possible, and will continue to share scientific and procedural information on a regular basis.

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