Safety_NN1 of_IO Beef_NN1 Processing_NN1 Method_NN1 Is_VBZ Questioned_VVN Eight_MC years_NNT2 ago_RA ,_, federal_JJ officials_NN2 were_VBDR struggling_VVG to_TO remove_VVI potentially_RR deadly_JJ E._NP1 coli_NN2 from_II hamburgers_NN2 when_RRQ an_AT1 entrepreneurial_JJ company_NN1 from_II South_NP1 Dakota_NP1 came_VVD up_RP with_IW a_AT1 novel_JJ idea_NN1 :_: injecting_VVG beef_NN1 with_IW ammonia_NN1 ._. 
The_AT company_NN1 ,_, Beef_NN1 Products_NN2 Inc._JJ ,_, had_VHD been_VBN looking_VVG to_TO expand_VVI into_II the_AT hamburger_NN1 business_NN1 with_IW a_AT1 product_NN1 made_VVN from_II beef_NN1 that_CST included_VVD fatty_JJ trimmings_NN2 the_AT industry_NN1 once_RR relegated_VVN to_TO pet_VVI food_NN1 and_CC cooking_VVG oil_NN1 ._. 
The_AT trimmings_NN2 were_VBDR particularly_RR susceptible_JJ to_II contamination_NN1 ,_, but_CCB a_AT1 study_NN1 commissioned_VVN by_II the_AT company_NN1 showed_VVD that_CST the_AT ammonia_NN1 process_NN1 would_VM kill_VVI E._NP1 coli_NN2 as_II31 well_II32 as_II33 salmonella_NN1 ._. 
Officials_NN2 at_II the_AT United_NP1 States_NP1 Department_NN1 of_IO Agriculture_NN1 endorsed_VVD the_AT company_NN1 's_GE ammonia_NN1 treatment_NN1 ,_, and_CC have_VH0 said_VVN it_PPH1 destroys_VVZ E._NP1 coli_NN2 "_" to_II an_AT1 undetectable_JJ level_NN1 ._. "_" 
They_PPHS2 decided_VVD it_PPH1 was_VBDZ so_RG effective_JJ that_CST in_II 2007_MC ,_, when_RRQ the_AT department_NN1 began_VVD routine_JJ testing_NN1 of_IO meat_NN1 used_VVN in_II hamburger_NN1 sold_VVN to_II the_AT general_JJ public_NN1 ,_, they_PPHS2 exempted_VVD Beef_NN1 Products_NN2 ._. 
With_IW the_AT U.S.D.A._NP1 's_GE stamp_NN1 of_IO approval_NN1 ,_, the_AT company_NN1 's_GE processed_JJ beef_NN1 has_VHZ become_VVN a_AT1 mainstay_NN1 in_II America_NP1 's_GE hamburgers_NN2 ._. 
McDonald_NP1 's_GE ,_, Burger_NN1 King_NN1 and_CC other_JJ fast-food_JJ giants_NN2 use_VV0 it_PPH1 as_II a_AT1 component_NN1 in_II ground_NN1 beef_NN1 ,_, as_CSA do_VD0 grocery_NN1 chains_NN2 ._. 
The_AT federal_JJ school_NN1 lunch_NN1 program_NN1 used_VVD an_AT1 estimated_JJ 5.5_MC million_NNO pounds_NN2 of_IO the_AT processed_JJ beef_NN1 last_MD year_NNT1 alone_RR ._. 
But_CCB government_NN1 and_CC industry_NN1 records_NN2 obtained_VVN by_II The_AT New_NP1 York_NP1 Times_NNT2 show_VV0 that_CST in_II testing_VVG for_IF the_AT school_NN1 lunch_NN1 program_NN1 ,_, E._NP1 coli_NN2 and_CC salmonella_NN1 pathogens_NN2 have_VH0 been_VBN found_VVN dozens_NNO2 of_IO times_NNT2 in_II Beef_NN1 Products_NN2 meat_NN1 ,_, challenging_VVG claims_NN2 by_II the_AT company_NN1 and_CC the_AT U.S.D.A._NP1 about_II the_AT effectiveness_NN1 of_IO the_AT treatment_NN1 ._. 
Since_II 2005_MC ,_, E._NP1 coli_NN2 has_VHZ been_VBN found_VVN 3_MC times_NNT2 and_CC salmonella_NN1 48_MC times_NNT2 ,_, including_II back-to-back_JJ incidents_NN2 in_II August_NPM1 in_II which_DDQ two_MC 27,000-pound_FO batches_NN2 were_VBDR found_VVN to_TO be_VBI contaminated_VVN ._. 
The_AT meat_NN1 was_VBDZ caught_VVN before_II reaching_VVG lunch-rooms_NN2 trays_NN2 ._. 
In_II July_NPM1 ,_, school_NN1 lunch_NN1 officials_NN2 temporarily_RR banned_VVD their_APPGE hamburger_NN1 makers_NN2 from_II using_VVG meat_NN1 from_II a_AT1 Beef_NN1 Products_NN2 facility_NN1 in_II Kansas_NP1 because_II21 of_II22 salmonella_NN1 --_NN1 the_AT third_MD suspension_NN1 in_II three_MC years_NNT2 ,_, records_NN2 show_VV0 ._. 
Yet_RR the_AT facility_NN1 remained_VVD approved_VVN by_II the_AT U.S.D.A._NP1 for_IF other_JJ customers_NN2 ._. 
Presented_VVN by_II The_AT Times_NNT2 with_IW the_AT school_NN1 lunch_NN1 test_NN1 results_NN2 ,_, top_JJ department_NN1 officials_NN2 said_VVD they_PPHS2 were_VBDR not_XX aware_JJ of_IO what_DDQ their_APPGE colleagues_NN2 in_II the_AT lunch_NN1 program_NN1 had_VHD been_VBN finding_VVG for_IF years_NNT2 ._. 
In_II response_NN1 ,_, the_AT agriculture_NN1 department_NN1 said_VVD it_PPH1 was_VBDZ revoking_VVG Beef_NN1 Products_NN2 '_GE exemption_NN1 from_II routine_NN1 testing_NN1 and_CC conducting_VVG a_AT1 review_NN1 of_IO the_AT company_NN1 's_GE operations_NN2 and_CC research_NN1 ._. 
The_AT department_NN1 said_VVD it_PPH1 was_VBDZ also_RR reversing_VVG its_APPGE policy_NN1 for_IF handling_VVG Beef_NN1 Products_NN2 during_II pathogen_NN1 outbreaks_NN2 ._. 
Since_CS it_PPH1 was_VBDZ seen_VVN as_CSA pathogen-free_JJ ,_, the_AT processed_JJ beef_NN1 was_VBDZ excluded_VVN from_II recalls_VVZ ,_, even_CS21 when_CS22 it_PPH1 was_VBDZ an_AT1 ingredient_NN1 in_II hamburgers_NN2 found_VVD to_TO be_VBI contaminated_VVN ._. 
The_AT Beef_NN1 Products_NN2 case_NN1 reveals_VVZ a_AT1 schism_NN1 between_II the_AT main_JJ Department_NN1 of_IO Agriculture_NN1 and_CC its_APPGE division_NN1 that_CST oversees_VVZ the_AT school_NN1 lunch_NN1 program_NN1 ,_, a_AT1 divide_NN1 that_CST underscores_VVZ the_AT government_NN1 's_GE faltering_JJ effort_NN1 to_TO make_VVI hamburger_NN1 safe_NN1 ._. 
The_AT U.S.D.A._NP1 banned_VVD the_AT sale_NN1 of_IO meat_NN1 found_VVD to_TO be_VBI contaminated_VVN with_IW the_AT O157:H7_FO strain_NN1 of_IO E._NP1 coli_NN2 15_MC years_NNT2 ago_RA ,_, after_CS a_AT1 deadly_JJ outbreak_NN1 was_VBDZ traced_VVN to_II Jack_NP1 in_II the_AT Box_NN1 restaurants_NN2 ._. 
Meat_NN1 tainted_VVN with_IW salmonella_NN1 is_VBZ also_RR a_AT1 hazard_NN1 ._. 
But_CCB while_CS the_AT school_NN1 lunch_NN1 program_NN1 will_VM not_XX buy_VVI meat_NN1 contaminated_VVN with_IW salmonella_NN1 ,_, the_AT agriculture_NN1 department_NN1 does_VDZ not_XX ban_VVI its_APPGE sale_NN1 to_II the_AT general_JJ public_NN1 ._. 
Even_RR21 so_RR22 ,_, E._NP1 coli_NN2 outbreaks_NN2 nationwide_RL have_VH0 increased_VVN in_II recent_JJ years_NNT2 ._. 
And_CC this_DD1 summer_NNT1 ,_, two_MC outbreaks_NN2 of_IO particularly_RR virulent_JJ strains_NN2 of_IO salmonella_NN1 in_II hamburger_NN1 prompted_VVD large_JJ recalls_VVZ of_IO ground_NN1 beef_NN1 across_II several_DA2 states_NN2 ._. 
Although_CS no_AT outbreak_NN1 has_VHZ been_VBN tied_VVN to_II Beef_NN1 Products_NN2 ,_, officials_NN2 said_VVD they_PPHS2 would_VM thoroughly_RR scrutinize_VVI any_DD future_JJ industry_NN1 innovations_NN2 for_IF fighting_VVG contamination_NN1 "_" to_TO ensure_VVI that_CST they_PPHS2 are_VBR scientifically_RR sound_JJ and_CC protect_VV0 public_JJ health_NN1 ,_, "_" and_CC that_CST they_PPHS2 were_VBDR examining_VVG the_AT government_NN1 's_GE overall_JJ meat_NN1 safety_NN1 policies_NN2 ._. 
The_AT founder_NN1 and_CC owner_NN1 of_IO Beef_NN1 Products_NN2 ,_, Eldon_NP1 N._NP1 Roth_NP1 ,_, declined_VVD requests_NN2 for_IF interviews_NN2 or_CC access_NN1 to_II the_AT company_NN1 's_GE production_NN1 facilities_NN2 ._. 
Responding_VVG to_II written_JJ questions_NN2 ,_, Beef_NN1 Products_NN2 said_VVD it_PPH1 had_VHD a_AT1 deep_JJ commitment_NN1 to_II hamburger_NN1 safety_NN1 and_CC was_VBDZ continually_RR refining_VVG its_APPGE operation_NN1 to_TO provide_VVI the_AT safest_JJT product_NN1 possible_JJ ._. 
"_" B.P.I._NP1 's_GE track_NN1 record_NN1 demonstrates_VVZ the_AT progress_NN1 B.P.I._NP1 has_VHZ made_VVN compared_VVN to_II the_AT industry_NN1 norm_NN1 ,_, "_" the_AT company_NN1 said_VVD ._. 
"_" Like_II any_DD responsible_JJ member_NN1 of_IO the_AT meat_NN1 industry_NN1 ,_, we_PPIS2 are_VBR not_XX perfect_JJ ._. "_" 
Beef_NN1 Products_NN2 maintains_VVZ that_CST its_APPGE ammonia_NN1 process_NN1 remains_VVZ effective_JJ ._. 
It_PPH1 said_VVD it_PPH1 tests_VVZ samples_NN2 of_IO each_DD1 batch_NN1 it_PPH1 ships_VVZ to_II customers_NN2 and_CC has_VHZ found_VVN E._NP1 coli_NN2 in_II only_RR 0.06_MC percent_NNU of_IO the_AT samples_NN2 this_DD1 year_NNT1 ._. 
The_AT company_NN1 says_VVZ its_APPGE processed_JJ beef_NN1 ,_, a_AT1 mashlike_JJ substance_NN1 frozen_VVN into_II blocks_NN2 or_CC chips_NN2 ,_, is_VBZ used_VVN in_II a_AT1 majority_NN1 of_IO the_AT hamburger_NN1 sold_VVN nationwide_RL ._. 
But_CCB it_PPH1 has_VHZ remained_VVN little_RR known_VVN outside_II industry_NN1 and_CC government_NN1 circles_NN2 ._. 
Federal_JJ officials_NN2 agreed_VVN to_II the_AT company_NN1 's_GE request_NN1 that_CST the_AT ammonia_NN1 be_VBI classified_VVN as_II a_AT1 "_" processing_NN1 agent_NN1 "_" and_CC not_XX an_AT1 ingredient_NN1 that_CST would_VM be_VBI listed_VVN on_II labels_NN2 ._. 
Within_II the_AT U.S.D.A._NP1 ,_, the_AT treated_JJ beef_NN1 has_VHZ been_VBN a_AT1 source_NN1 of_IO friction_NN1 for_IF years_NNT2 ._. 
The_AT department_NN1 accepted_VVD the_AT company_NN1 's_GE own_DA study_NN1 as_CSA evidence_NN1 that_CST the_AT treatment_NN1 was_VBDZ effective_JJ ._. 
School_NN1 lunch_NN1 officials_NN2 ,_, who_PNQS had_VHD some_DD doubts_NN2 about_II its_APPGE effectiveness_NN1 ,_, required_VVN that_DD1 Beef_NN1 Products_NN2 meat_NN1 be_VBI tested_VVN ,_, as_CSA they_PPHS2 do_VD0 all_RR beef_NN1 used_VVN by_II the_AT program_NN1 ._. 
School_NN1 lunch_NN1 officials_NN2 said_VVD that_CST in_II some_DD years_NNT2 Beef_NN1 Products_NN2 testing_VVG results_NN2 were_VBDR worse_JJR than_CSN many_DA2 of_IO the_AT program_NN1 's_GE two_MC dozen_NNO other_JJ suppliers_NN2 ,_, which_DDQ use_VV0 traditional_JJ meat_NN1 processing_NN1 methods_NN2 ._. 
From_II 2005_MC to_II 2009_MC ,_, Beef_NN1 Products_NN2 had_VHD a_AT1 rate_NN1 of_IO 36_MC positive_JJ results_NN2 for_IF salmonella_NN1 per_II 1,000_MC tests_NN2 ,_, compared_VVN to_II a_AT1 rate_NN1 of_IO nine_MC positive_JJ results_NN2 per_II 1,000_MC tests_NN2 for_IF the_AT other_JJ suppliers_NN2 ,_, according_II21 to_II22 statistics_NN from_II the_AT program_NN1 ._. 
Beef_NN1 Products_NN2 said_VVD its_APPGE testing_NN1 regime_NN1 was_VBDZ more_RGR likely_JJ to_TO detect_VVI contamination_NN1 ._. 
Despite_II some_DD misgivings_NN2 ,_, school_NN1 lunch_NN1 officials_NN2 say_VV0 they_PPHS2 use_VV0 Beef_NN1 Products_NN2 because_CS its_APPGE price_NN1 is_VBZ substantially_RR lower_JJR than_CSN ordinary_JJ meat_NN1 trimmings_NN2 ,_, saving_VVG about_RG $1_NNU million_NNO a_AT1 year_NNT1 ._. 
Another_DD1 snapshot_NN1 of_IO processed_JJ beef_NN1 's_GE performance_NN1 emerges_VVZ from_II confidential_JJ records_NN2 of_IO tests_NN2 in_II 2007_MC by_II the_AT food_NN1 giant_NN1 Cargill_NP1 ._. 
In_II the_AT preceding_JJ year_NNT1 and_CC a_AT1 half_NN1 ,_, Cargill_NP1 ,_, which_DDQ used_VVD more_DAR than_CSN 50_MC vendors_NN2 ,_, suspended_VVD three_MC facilities_NN2 for_IF excessive_JJ salmonella_NN1 ;_; two_MC were_VBDR Beef_NN1 Products_NN2 plants_NN2 ,_, records_NN2 show_VV0 ._. 
Since_II introducing_VVG the_AT treated_JJ meat_NN1 ,_, Beef_NN1 Products_NN2 has_VHZ faced_VVN the_AT challenge_NN1 of_IO balancing_VVG safety_NN1 with_IW taste_NN1 ,_, records_NN2 and_CC interviews_NN2 show_VV0 ._. 
Pathogens_NN2 died_VVD when_CS enough_DD ammonia_NN1 was_VBDZ used_VVN to_TO raise_VVI the_AT alkalinity_NN1 of_IO the_AT beef_NN1 to_II a_AT1 high_JJ level_NN1 ,_, company_NN1 research_NN1 found_VVD ._. 
But_CCB early_RR on_RP ,_, school_NN1 lunch_NN1 officials_NN2 and_CC other_JJ customers_NN2 complained_VVD about_II the_AT taste_NN1 and_CC smell_NN1 of_IO the_AT beef_NN1 ._. 
Samples_NN2 of_IO the_AT processed_JJ beef_NN1 obtained_VVN by_II The_AT Times_NNT2 revealed_VVD lower_JJR levels_NN2 of_IO alkalinity_NN1 ,_, suggesting_VVG less_DAR ammonia_NN1 was_VBDZ used_VVN ._. 
Mr._NNB Roth_NP1 and_CC others_NN2 in_II the_AT industry_NN1 had_VHD discovered_VVN that_CST liquefying_VVG the_AT fat_NN1 and_CC extracting_VVG the_AT protein_NN1 from_II the_AT trimmings_NN2 in_II a_AT1 centrifuge_NN1 resulted_VVN in_II a_AT1 lean_JJ product_NN1 that_CST was_VBDZ desirable_JJ to_II hamburger-makers_NN2 ._. 
The_AT greater_JJR challenge_NN1 was_VBDZ eliminating_VVG E._NP1 coli_NN2 and_CC salmonella_NN1 ,_, which_DDQ are_VBR more_RGR prevalent_JJ in_II fatty_JJ trimmings_NN2 than_CSN in_II higher_JJR grades_NN2 of_IO beef_NN1 ._. 
According_II21 to_II22 a_AT1 2003_MC study_NN1 financed_VVN by_II Beef_NN1 Products_NN2 ,_, the_AT trimmings_NN2 "_" typically_RR includes_VVZ most_DAT of_IO the_AT material_NN1 from_II the_AT outer_JJ surfaces_NN2 of_IO the_AT carcass_NN1 "_" and_CC contains_VVZ "_" larger_JJR microbiological_JJ populations_NN2 ._. "_" 
Beef_NN1 Products_NN2 said_VVD it_PPH1 also_RR used_JJ trimmings_NN2 from_II inside_JJ cuts_NN2 of_IO meat_NN1 ._. 
Mr._NNB Roth_NP1 was_VBDZ well_RR suited_VVN to_TO tackle_VVI the_AT problem_NN1 ,_, friends_NN2 say_VV0 ._. 
Though_CS lacking_VVG a_AT1 science_NN1 background_NN1 ,_, he_PPHS1 had_VHD a_AT1 knack_NN1 for_IF machinery_NN1 and_CC obtained_VVD patents_NN2 for_IF over_RG two_MC dozen_NNO pieces_NN2 of_IO equipment_NN1 and_CC methods_NN2 used_VVN in_II processing_VVG beef_NN1 ._. 
"_" He_PPHS1 looked_VVD and_CC looked_VVN at_II stuff_NN1 and_CC always_RR wondered_VVD ,_, why_RRQ ca_VM n't_XX it_PPH1 be_VBI done_VDN this_DD1 way_NN1 ?_? "_" said_VVD Dr._NNB David_NP1 M._NN1 Theno_NN1 ,_, a_AT1 food_NN1 safety_NN1 consultant_NN1 and_CC friend_NN1 of_IO Mr._NNB Roth_NP1 ._. 
"_" He_PPHS1 is_VBZ like_II a_AT1 lot_NN1 of_IO inventors_NN2 ._. 
Not_XX everyone_PN1 sees_VVZ Eldon_NP1 's_GE vision_NN1 ._. "_" 
One_MC1 of_IO Mr._NNB Roth_NP1 's_GE early_JJ trials_NN2 involved_VVD running_JJ electricity_NN1 through_II the_AT trimmings_NN2 to_TO kill_VVI bacteria_NN2 ,_, Dr._NNB Theno_NP1 and_CC others_NN2 said_VVD ._. 
Mr._NNB Roth_NP1 eventually_RR settled_VVN on_II ammonia_NN1 ,_, which_DDQ had_VHD been_VBN shown_VVN to_TO suppress_VVI spoilage_NN1 ._. 
Meat_NN1 is_VBZ sent_VVN through_II pipes_NN2 where_CS it_PPH1 is_VBZ exposed_VVN to_II ammonia_NN1 gas_NN1 ,_, and_CC then_RT flash_VV0 frozen_JJ and_CC compressed_JJ --_NN1 all_DB steps_NN2 that_CST help_VV0 kill_VVI pathogens_NN2 ,_, company_NN1 research_NN1 found_VVD ._. 
The_AT treated_JJ beef_NN1 landed_VVN in_II Washington_NP1 in_II 2001_MC ,_, when_RRQ federal_JJ officials_NN2 were_VBDR searching_VVG for_IF ways_NN2 to_TO eliminate_VVI E._NP1 coli_NN2 ._. 
Beef_NN1 Products_NN2 already_RR had_VHN one_MC1 study_NN1 showing_VVG its_APPGE treatment_NN1 would_VM do_VDI that_DD1 ;_; another_DD1 company-sponsored_JJ study_NN1 by_II an_AT1 Iowa_NP1 State_NN1 University_NN1 professor_NN1 that_CST was_VBDZ published_VVN in_II a_AT1 professional_JJ journal_NN1 seconded_VVD ._. 
Mr._NNB Roth_NP1 asserted_VVD that_CST his_APPGE product_NN1 would_VM kill_VVI pathogens_NN2 in_II untreated_JJ meat_NN1 when_CS it_PPH1 was_VBDZ used_VVN as_II an_AT1 ingredient_NN1 in_II ground_NN1 beef_NN1 --_NN1 raising_VVG the_AT prospect_NN1 of_IO a_AT1 risk-free_JJ burger_NN1 ._. 
"_" Given_VVN the_AT technology_NN1 ,_, we_PPIS2 firmly_RR believe_VV0 that_CST the_AT two_MC pathogens_NN2 of_IO major_JJ concern_NN1 in_II raw_JJ ground_NN1 beef_NN1 --_NN1 E._NP1 coli_NN2 O157:H7_FO and_CC salmonella_NN1 --_NN1 are_VBR on_II the_AT verge_NN1 of_IO elimination_NN1 ,_, "_" Mr._NNB Roth_NP1 wrote_VVD to_II the_AT department_NN1 ._. 
The_AT Food_NN1 and_CC Drug_NN1 Administration_NN1 signed_VVD off_RP on_II the_AT use_NN1 of_IO ammonia_NN1 ,_, concluding_VVG it_PPH1 was_VBDZ safe_JJ when_CS used_VVN as_II a_AT1 processing_NN1 agent_NN1 in_II foods_NN2 ._. 
This_DD1 year_NNT1 ,_, a_AT1 top_JJ official_NN1 with_IW the_AT U.S.D.A._NP1 's_GE Food_NN1 Safety_NN1 and_CC Inspection_NN1 Service_NN1 said_VVD ,_, "_" It_PPH1 eliminates_VVZ E._NP1 coli_NN2 to_II the_AT same_DA degree_NN1 as_CSA if_CS you_PPY cooked_VVD the_AT product_NN1 ._. "_" 
Unaware_JJ that_CST the_AT meat_NN1 was_VBDZ treated_VVN with_IW ammonia_NN1 --_NN1 since_CS it_PPH1 was_VBDZ not_XX on_II the_AT label_NN1 --_NN1 Georgia_NP1 officials_NN2 assumed_VVD it_PPH1 was_VBDZ accidentally_RR contaminated_VVN and_CC alerted_VVN the_AT agriculture_NN1 department_NN1 ._. 
In_II their_APPGE complaint_NN1 ,_, the_AT officials_NN2 noted_VVD that_CST the_AT level_NN1 of_IO ammonia_NN1 in_II the_AT beef_NN1 was_VBDZ similar_JJ to_II levels_NN2 found_VVN in_II contamination_NN1 incidents_NN2 involving_VVG chicken_NN1 and_CC milk_NN1 that_CST had_VHD sickened_VVN schoolchildren_NN2 ._. 
Beef_NN1 Products_NN2 said_VVD the_AT ammonia_NN1 did_VDD not_XX pose_VVI a_AT1 danger_NN1 and_CC would_VM be_VBI diluted_VVN when_CS its_APPGE beef_NN1 was_VBDZ mixed_VVN with_IW other_JJ meat_NN1 ._. 
The_AT U.S.D.A._NP1 accepted_VVD Beef_NN1 Product_NN1 's_GE conclusion_NN1 ,_, but_CCB other_JJ customers_NN2 had_VHD also_RR complained_VVN about_II the_AT smell_NN1 ._. 
Untreated_JJ beef_NN1 naturally_RR contains_VVZ ammonia_NN1 and_CC is_VBZ typically_RR about_RG 6_MC on_II the_AT pH_NN1 scale_NN1 ,_, near_II that_DD1 of_IO rain_NN1 water_NN1 and_CC milk_NN1 ._. 
The_AT Beef_NN1 Products_NN2 '_GE study_NN1 that_CST won_VVD U.S.D.A._NP1 approval_NN1 used_VVD an_AT1 ammonia_NN1 treatment_NN1 that_CST raised_VVD the_AT pH_NN1 of_IO the_AT meat_NN1 to_II as_RG high_JJ as_CSA 10_MC ,_, an_AT1 alkalinity_NN1 well_RR beyond_II the_AT range_NN1 of_IO most_DAT foods_NN2 ._. 
The_AT company_NN1 's_GE 2003_MC study_NN1 cited_VVD the_AT "_" potential_JJ issues_NN2 surrounding_VVG the_AT palatability_NN1 of_IO a_AT1 pH-9.5_MC product_NN1 ._. "_" 
Soon_RR after_II getting_VVG initial_JJ approval_NN1 from_II the_AT agriculture_NN1 department_NN1 ,_, the_AT company_NN1 devised_VVD a_AT1 plan_NN1 to_TO make_VVI a_AT1 less_RGR alkaline_JJ version_NN1 of_IO the_AT beef_NN1 ,_, internal_JJ company_NN1 documents_NN2 show_VV0 ._. 
Beef_NN1 Products_NN2 acknowledged_VVN in_II an_AT1 e-mail_NN1 exchange_NN1 that_CST it_PPH1 was_VBDZ making_VVG a_AT1 lower_JJR pH_NN1 version_NN1 ,_, but_CCB did_VDD not_XX specify_VVI the_AT level_NN1 or_CC when_CS it_PPH1 began_VVD selling_VVG it_PPH1 ._. 
In_II 2008_MC ,_, after_CS the_AT school_NN1 lunch_NN1 program_NN1 temporarily_RR suspended_VVN a_AT1 Beef_NN1 Products_NN2 plant_VV0 for_IF salmonella_NN1 contamination_NN1 ,_, the_AT company_NN1 wrote_VVD in_II a_AT1 letter_NN1 that_CST its_APPGE effort_NN1 to_TO combat_VVI ammonia_NN1 "_" aroma_NN1 "_" might_VM have_VHI reduced_VVN the_AT alkalinity_NN1 below_II the_AT initial_JJ target_NN1 levels_NN2 ._. 
It_PPH1 said_VVD it_PPH1 was_VBDZ taking_VVG steps_NN2 to_TO ensure_VVI that_CST the_AT alkalinity_NN1 remained_VVD elevated_JJ ._. 
Samples_NN2 of_IO the_AT treated_JJ beef_NN1 obtained_VVN by_II The_AT Times_NNT2 this_DD1 month_NNT1 showed_VVD a_AT1 pH_NN1 as_RG low_JJ as_CSA 7.75_MC ,_, according_II21 to_II22 an_AT1 analysis_NN1 by_II two_MC laboratories_NN2 ._. 
Dr._NNB Michael_NP1 P._NP1 Doyle_NP1 ,_, a_AT1 food_NN1 industry_NN1 consultant_NN1 and_CC director_NN1 of_IO the_AT Center_NN1 for_IF Food_NN1 Safety_NN1 at_II the_AT University_NN1 of_IO Georgia_NP1 ,_, said_VVD one_MC1 point_NN1 on_II the_AT exponential_NN1 pH_NN1 scale_NN1 was_VBDZ a_AT1 considerable_JJ difference_NN1 ,_, and_CC "_" could_VM have_VHI a_AT1 significant_JJ effect_NN1 on_II the_AT antimicrobial_JJ effectiveness_NN1 of_IO the_AT ammonia_NN1 ._. "_" 
Cargill_VV0 ,_, one_MC1 of_IO the_AT nation_NN1 's_GE largest_JJT hamburger_NN1 makers_NN2 ,_, is_VBZ a_AT1 big_JJ buyer_NN1 of_IO Beef_NN1 Products_NN2 '_GE ammoniated_JJ trimmings_NN2 for_IF its_APPGE patties_NN2 ._. 
Company_NN1 records_NN2 show_VV0 that_DD1 Beef_NN1 Products_NN2 ,_, like_II other_JJ suppliers_NN2 ,_, has_VHZ periodically_RR exceeded_VVN Cargill_NP1 's_GE limits_NN2 on_II acceptable_JJ bacteria_NN2 levels_NN2 ._. 
That_DD1 led_VVD Cargill_NP1 to_TO stop_VVI buying_VVG meat_NN1 from_II two_MC Beef_NN1 Products_NN2 plants_NN2 for_IF several_DA2 months_NNT2 in_II 2006_MC after_II company_NN1 tests_NN2 showed_VVD excessive_JJ levels_NN2 of_IO salmonella_NN1 ._. 
But_CCB the_AT following_JJ year_NNT1 ,_, when_CS Cargill_NP1 faced_VVD an_AT1 E._NP1 coli_NN2 outbreak_NN1 ,_, it_PPH1 ruled_VVD out_RP Beef_NN1 Products_NN2 as_II a_AT1 possible_JJ culprit_NN1 ,_, citing_VVG the_AT U.S.D.A._NP1 's_GE view_NN1 that_CST the_AT ammonia_NN1 treatment_NN1 provided_VVD a_AT1 "_" lethality_NN1 step_NN1 "_" for_IF the_AT pathogen_NN1 ._. 
In_RR21 addition_RR22 ,_, Cargill_NP1 officials_NN2 said_VVD recently_RR ,_, they_PPHS2 suspect_VV0 that_CST another_DD1 supplier_NN1 ,_, not_XX Beef_NN1 Products_NN2 ,_, was_VBDZ the_AT problem_NN1 ._. 
As_II a_AT1 result_NN1 ,_, Beef_NN1 Products_NN2 did_VDD not_XX face_VVI as_RG wide_RR a_AT1 recall_NN1 as_CSA other_JJ Cargill_NN1 suppliers_NN2 ._. 
Recently_RR ,_, another_DD1 E._NP1 coli_NN2 outbreak_NN1 was_VBDZ traced_VVN to_II a_AT1 hamburger_NN1 maker_NN1 in_II upstate_JJ New_NP1 York_NP1 that_CST also_RR used_JJ multiple_JJ suppliers_NN2 ,_, including_II Beef_NN1 Products_NN2 ._. 
This_DD1 time_NNT1 ,_, the_AT agriculture_NN1 department_NN1 said_VVD Beef_NN1 Products_NN2 was_VBDZ being_VBG recalled_VVN with_IW other_JJ suppliers_NN2 ,_, although_CS a_AT1 source_NN1 of_IO the_AT contamination_NN1 had_VHD not_XX been_VBN identified_VVN ._. 
"_" This_DD1 will_VM continue_VVI to_TO be_VBI our_APPGE approach_NN1 going_VVG forward_RL ,_, "_" the_AT department_NN1 said_VVD ._. 
