If you’re into riddles, here is one to think about: What has a single source that varies? If you’re into food safety, your answer should be “E. coli O157:H7.”
Depending on your specific sector of the industry, E. coli O157:H7 may come from the cattle in your feedlot, the hides and digestive tracts of the cattle you slaughter in your plant, the combo of beef trim you will be further processing, or the box of frozen patties in your retail display. So, depending on your place in the meat industry, E. coli may come from an animal, a hide, a digestive tract, a combo or a box. If your source of the issue is the combo or box, it may be time to investigate the pathogen’s origins.