USDA says gov’t will require higher standards next year for ground beef served in schools

Ground beef in schools this fall will be safer

WASHINGTON — Students will be eating safer beef in school cafeterias when they return to school in the fall.

The Agriculture Department announced Friday that the government will require higher standards for ground beef purchased for schools starting in July. The standards will force producers to test the beef for contamination more often and will prohibit certain trimmings from being used.

USDA, which oversees the school lunch program and coordinates food purchases with schools, will also prohibit the purchase of beef produced on the same day that E. coli O157 or salmonella is found through testing at a plant.

The department announced in February that the National Academy of Sciences will review the government’s beef purchases.