The_AT Burger_NN1 That_CST Shattered_VVD Her_APPGE Life_NN1 Stephanie_NP1 Smith_NP1 ,_, a_AT1 children_NN2 's_GE dance_NN1 instructor_NN1 ,_, thought_VVD she_PPHS1 had_VHD a_AT1 stomach_NN1 virus_NN1 ._. 
The_AT aches_NN2 and_CC cramping_NN1 were_VBDR tolerable_JJ that_CST first_MD day_NNT1 ,_, and_CC she_PPHS1 finished_VVD her_APPGE classes_NN2 ._. 
Then_RT her_APPGE diarrhea_NN1 turned_VVD bloody_RR ._. 
Her_APPGE kidneys_NN2 shut_VV0 down_RP ._. 
Seizures_NN2 knocked_VVD her_APPGE unconscious_JJ ._. 
The_AT convulsions_NN2 grew_VVD so_RG relentless_JJ that_CST doctors_NN2 had_VHD to_TO put_VVI her_PPHO1 in_II a_AT1 coma_NN1 for_IF nine_MC weeks_NNT2 ._. 
When_CS she_PPHS1 emerged_VVD ,_, she_PPHS1 could_VM no_RR21 longer_RR22 walk_VVI ._. 
The_AT affliction_NN1 had_VHD ravaged_VVN her_APPGE nervous_JJ system_NN1 and_CC left_VVN her_PPHO1 paralyzed_VVD ._. 
Ms._NNB Smith_NP1 ,_, 22_MC ,_, was_VBDZ found_VVN to_TO have_VHI a_AT1 severe_JJ form_NN1 of_IO food-borne_JJ illness_NN1 caused_VVN by_II E._NP1 coli_NN2 ,_, which_DDQ Minnesota_NP1 officials_NN2 traced_VVN to_II the_AT hamburger_NN1 that_CST her_APPGE mother_NN1 had_VHD grilled_VVN for_IF their_APPGE Sunday_NP1 dinner_NN1 in_II early_JJ fall_NN1 2007_MC ._. 
Ms._NNB Smith_NP1 's_GE reaction_NN1 to_II the_AT virulent_JJ strain_NN1 of_IO E._NP1 coli_NN2 was_VBDZ extreme_JJ ,_, but_CCB tracing_VVG the_AT story_NN1 of_IO her_APPGE burger_NN1 ,_, through_II interviews_NN2 and_CC government_NN1 and_CC corporate_JJ records_NN2 obtained_VVN by_II The_AT New_NP1 York_NP1 Times_NNT2 ,_, shows_VVZ why_RRQ eating_NN1 ground_NN1 beef_NN1 is_VBZ still_RR a_AT1 gamble_NN1 ._. 
Neither_RR the_AT system_NN1 meant_VVD to_TO make_VVI the_AT meat_NN1 safe_NN1 ,_, nor_CC the_AT meat_NN1 itself_PPX1 ,_, is_VBZ what_DDQ consumers_NN2 have_VH0 been_VBN led_VVN to_TO believe_VVI ._. 
Ground_NN1 beef_NN1 is_VBZ usually_RR not_XX simply_RR a_AT1 chunk_NN1 of_IO meat_NN1 run_VVN through_II a_AT1 grinder_NN1 ._. 
Instead_RR ,_, records_NN2 and_CC interviews_NN2 show_VV0 ,_, a_AT1 single_JJ portion_NN1 of_IO hamburger_NN1 meat_NN1 is_VBZ often_RR an_AT1 amalgam_NN1 of_IO various_JJ grades_NN2 of_IO meat_NN1 from_II different_JJ parts_NN2 of_IO cows_NN2 and_CC even_RR from_II different_JJ slaughterhouses_NN2 ._. 
These_DD2 cuts_NN2 of_IO meat_NN1 are_VBR particularly_RR vulnerable_JJ to_II E._NP1 coli_NN2 contamination_NN1 ,_, food_NN1 experts_NN2 and_CC officials_NN2 say_VV0 ._. 
Despite_II this_DD1 ,_, there_EX is_VBZ no_AT federal_JJ requirement_NN1 for_IF grinders_NN2 to_TO test_VVI their_APPGE ingredients_NN2 for_IF the_AT pathogen_NN1 ._. 
The_AT frozen_JJ hamburgers_NN2 that_CST the_AT Smiths_NP2 ate_VVD ,_, which_DDQ were_VBDR made_VVN by_II the_AT food_NN1 giant_NN1 Cargill_NP1 ,_, were_VBDR labeled_VVN "_" American_JJ Chef_NN1 's_GE Selection_NN1 Angus_NN1 Beef_NN1 Patties_NN2 ._. "_" 
Yet_RR confidential_JJ grinding_JJ logs_NN2 and_CC other_JJ Cargill_NN1 records_NN2 show_VV0 that_CST the_AT hamburgers_NN2 were_VBDR made_VVN from_II a_AT1 mix_NN1 of_IO slaughterhouse_NN1 trimmings_NN2 and_CC a_AT1 mash-like_JJ product_NN1 derived_VVN from_II scraps_NN2 that_CST were_VBDR ground_VVN together_RL at_II a_AT1 plant_NN1 in_II Wisconsin_NP1 ._. 
The_AT ingredients_NN2 came_VVD from_II slaughterhouses_NN2 in_II Nebraska_NP1 ,_, Texas_NP1 and_CC Uruguay_NP1 ,_, and_CC from_II a_AT1 South_NP1 Dakota_NP1 company_NN1 that_CST processes_VVZ fatty_JJ trimmings_NN2 and_CC treats_VVZ them_PPHO2 with_IW ammonia_NN1 to_TO kill_VVI bacteria_NN2 ._. 
Using_VVG a_AT1 combination_NN1 of_IO sources_NN2 --_NN1 a_AT1 practice_NN1 followed_VVN by_II most_DAT large_JJ producers_NN2 of_IO fresh_JJ and_CC packaged_JJ hamburger_NN1 --_NN1 allowed_VVD Cargill_NP1 to_TO spend_VVI about_RG 25_MC percent_NNU less_DAR than_CSN it_PPH1 would_VM have_VHI for_IF cuts_NN2 of_IO whole_JJ meat_NN1 ._. 
Those_DD2 low-grade_JJ ingredients_NN2 are_VBR cut_VVN from_II areas_NN2 of_IO the_AT cow_NN1 that_CST are_VBR more_RGR likely_JJ to_TO have_VHI had_VHN contact_NN1 with_IW feces_NN2 ,_, which_DDQ carries_VVZ E._NP1 coli_NN2 ,_, industry_NN1 research_NN1 shows_NN2 ._. 
Yet_RR Cargill_NP1 ,_, like_II most_DAT meat_NN1 companies_NN2 ,_, relies_VVZ on_II its_APPGE suppliers_NN2 to_TO check_VVI for_IF the_AT bacteria_NN2 and_CC does_VDZ its_APPGE own_DA testing_NN1 only_RR after_II the_AT ingredients_NN2 are_VBR ground_VVN together_RL ._. 
The_AT United_NP1 States_NP1 Department_NN1 of_IO Agriculture_NN1 ,_, which_DDQ allows_VVZ grinders_NN2 to_TO devise_VVI their_APPGE own_DA safety_NN1 plans_NN2 ,_, has_VHZ encouraged_VVN them_PPHO2 to_TO test_VVI ingredients_NN2 first_MD as_II a_AT1 way_NN1 of_IO increasing_VVG the_AT chance_NN1 of_IO finding_VVG contamination_NN1 ._. 
Unwritten_JJ agreements_NN2 between_II some_DD companies_NN2 appear_VV0 to_TO stand_VVI in_II the_AT way_NN1 of_IO ingredient_NN1 testing_NN1 ._. 
Many_DA2 big_JJ slaughterhouses_NN2 will_VM sell_VVI only_RR to_II grinders_NN2 who_PNQS agree_VV0 not_XX to_TO test_VVI their_APPGE shipments_NN2 for_IF E._NP1 coli_NN2 ,_, according_II21 to_II22 officials_NN2 at_II two_MC large_JJ grinding_JJ companies_NN2 ._. 
Slaughterhouses_NN2 fear_VV0 that_CST one_MC1 grinder_NN1 's_GE discovery_NN1 of_IO E._NP1 coli_NN2 will_VM set_VVI off_RP a_AT1 recall_NN1 of_IO ingredients_NN2 they_PPHS2 sold_VVD to_II others_NN2 ._. 
"_" Ground_NN1 beef_NN1 is_VBZ not_XX a_AT1 completely_RR safe_JJ product_NN1 ,_, "_" said_VVD Dr._NNB Jeffrey_NP1 Bender_NP1 ,_, a_AT1 food_NN1 safety_NN1 expert_NN1 at_II the_AT University_NN1 of_IO Minnesota_NP1 who_PNQS helped_VVD develop_VVI systems_NN2 for_IF tracing_VVG E._NP1 coli_NN2 contamination_NN1 ._. 
He_PPHS1 said_VVD that_CST while_CS outbreaks_NN2 had_VHD been_VBN on_II the_AT decline_NN1 ,_, "_" unfortunately_RR it_PPH1 looks_VVZ like_CS we_PPIS2 are_VBR going_VVG a_RR21 bit_RR22 in_II the_AT opposite_JJ direction_NN1 ._. "_" 
Food_NN1 scientists_NN2 have_VH0 registered_VVN increasing_JJ concern_NN1 about_II the_AT virulence_NN1 of_IO this_DD1 pathogen_NN1 since_CS only_RR a_AT1 few_DA2 stray_JJ cells_NN2 can_VM make_VVI someone_PN1 sick_JJ ,_, and_CC they_PPHS2 warn_VV0 that_CST federal_JJ guidance_NN1 to_TO cook_VVI meat_NN1 thoroughly_RR and_CC to_TO wash_VVI up_RP afterward_RL is_VBZ not_XX sufficient_JJ ._. 
A_AT1 test_NN1 by_II The_AT Times_NNT2 found_VVD that_CST the_AT safe_JJ handling_NN1 instructions_NN2 are_VBR not_XX enough_RR to_TO prevent_VVI the_AT bacteria_NN2 from_II spreading_VVG in_II the_AT kitchen_NN1 ._. 
Cargill_VV0 ,_, whose_DDQGE $116.6_NNU billion_NNO in_II revenues_NN2 last_MD year_NNT1 made_VVD it_PPH1 the_AT country_NN1 's_GE largest_JJT private_JJ company_NN1 ,_, declined_VVD requests_NN2 to_TO interview_VVI company_NN1 officials_NN2 or_CC visit_VV0 its_APPGE facilities_NN2 ._. 
"_" Cargill_NN1 is_VBZ not_XX in_II a_AT1 position_NN1 to_TO answer_VVI your_APPGE specific_JJ questions_NN2 ,_, other_II21 than_II22 to_TO state_VVI that_CST we_PPIS2 are_VBR committed_VVN to_II continuous_JJ improvement_NN1 in_II the_AT area_NN1 of_IO food_NN1 safety_NN1 ,_, "_" the_AT company_NN1 said_VVD ,_, citing_VVG continuing_JJ litigation_NN1 ._. 
The_AT meat_NN1 industry_NN1 treats_VVZ much_DA1 of_IO its_APPGE practices_NN2 and_CC the_AT ingredients_NN2 in_II ground_NN1 beef_NN1 as_CSA trade_NN1 secrets_NN2 ._. 
While_CS the_AT Department_NN1 of_IO Agriculture_NN1 has_VHZ inspectors_NN2 posted_VVN in_II plants_NN2 and_CC has_VHZ access_NN1 to_II production_NN1 records_NN2 ,_, it_PPH1 also_RR guards_VVZ those_DD2 secrets_NN2 ._. 
Federal_JJ records_NN2 released_VVN by_II the_AT department_NN1 through_II the_AT Freedom_NN1 of_IO Information_NN1 Act_NN1 blacked_VVD out_RP details_NN2 of_IO Cargill_NP1 's_GE grinding_JJ operation_NN1 that_CST could_VM be_VBI learned_VVN only_RR through_II copies_NN2 of_IO the_AT documents_NN2 obtained_VVN from_II other_JJ sources_NN2 ._. 
Those_DD2 documents_NN2 illustrate_VV0 the_AT restrained_JJ approach_NN1 to_II enforcement_NN1 by_II a_AT1 department_NN1 whose_DDQGE missions_NN2 include_VV0 ensuring_VVG meat_NN1 safety_NN1 and_CC promoting_VVG agriculture_NN1 markets_NN2 ._. 
Within_II weeks_NNT2 of_IO the_AT Cargill_NP1 outbreak_NN1 in_II 2007_MC ,_, U.S.D.A._NP1 officials_NN2 swept_VVN across_II the_AT country_NN1 ,_, conducting_VVG spot_NN1 checks_VVZ at_II 224_MC meat_NN1 plants_NN2 to_TO assess_VVI their_APPGE efforts_NN2 to_TO combat_VVI E._NP1 coli_NN2 ._. 
Although_CS inspectors_NN2 had_VHD been_VBN monitoring_VVG these_DD2 plants_NN2 all_DB along_RP ,_, officials_NN2 found_VVD serious_JJ problems_NN2 at_II 55_MC that_CST were_VBDR failing_VVG to_TO follow_VVI their_APPGE own_DA safety_NN1 plans_NN2 ._. 
"_" Every_AT1 time_NNT1 we_PPIS2 look_VV0 ,_, we_PPIS2 find_VV0 out_RP that_CST things_NN2 are_VBR not_XX what_DDQ we_PPIS2 hoped_VVD they_PPHS2 would_VM be_VBI ,_, "_" said_VVD Loren_NP1 D._NP1 Lange_NP1 ,_, an_AT1 executive_NN1 associate_NN1 in_II the_AT Agriculture_NN1 Department_NN1 's_GE food_NN1 safety_NN1 division_NN1 ._. 
In_II the_AT weeks_NNT2 before_CS Ms._NNB Smith_NP1 's_GE patty_NN1 was_VBDZ made_VVN ,_, federal_JJ inspectors_NN2 had_VHD repeatedly_RR found_VVN that_CST Cargill_NP1 was_VBDZ violating_VVG its_APPGE own_DA safety_NN1 procedures_NN2 in_II handling_VVG ground_NN1 beef_NN1 ,_, but_CCB they_PPHS2 imposed_VVD no_AT fines_NN2 or_CC sanctions_NN2 ,_, records_NN2 show_VV0 ._. 
After_CS the_AT outbreak_NN1 ,_, the_AT department_NN1 threatened_VVD to_TO withhold_VVI the_AT seal_NN1 of_IO approval_NN1 that_CST declares_VVZ "_" U.S._NP1 Inspected_VVD and_CC Passed_VVN by_II the_AT Department_NN1 of_IO Agriculture_NN1 ._. "_" 
In_II the_AT end_NN1 ,_, though_CS ,_, the_AT agency_NN1 accepted_VVD Cargill_NP1 's_GE proposal_NN1 to_TO increase_VVI its_APPGE scrutiny_NN1 of_IO suppliers_NN2 ._. 
That_DD1 agreement_NN1 came_VVD early_RR last_MD year_NNT1 after_II contentious_JJ negotiations_NN2 ,_, records_NN2 show_VV0 ._. 
When_CS Cargill_NP1 defended_VVD its_APPGE safety_NN1 system_NN1 and_CC initially_RR resisted_VVN making_VVG some_DD changes_NN2 ,_, an_AT1 agency_NN1 official_NN1 wrote_VVD back_RP :_: "_" How_RRQ is_VBZ food_NN1 safety_NN1 not_XX the_AT ultimate_JJ issue_NN1 ?_? "_" 
The_AT Risk_NN1 On_II Aug._NPM1 16_MC ,_, 2007_MC ,_, the_AT day_NNT1 Ms._NNB Smith_NP1 's_GE hamburger_NN1 was_VBDZ made_VVN ,_, the_AT No.3_FO grinder_NN1 at_II the_AT Cargill_NP1 plant_NN1 in_II Butler_NP1 ,_, Wis._NP1 ,_, started_VVD up_RP at_II 6:50_MC a.m_RA ._. 
The_AT largest_JJT ingredient_NN1 was_VBDZ beef_NN1 trimmings_NN2 known_VVN as_II "_" 50/50_MF "_" --_JJ half_NN1 fat_NN1 ,_, half_DB meat_NN1 --_NN1 that_CST cost_VV0 about_RG 60_MC cents_NNU2 a_AT1 pound_NN1 ,_, making_VVG them_PPHO2 the_AT cheapest_JJT component_NN1 ._. 
Cargill_NP1 bought_VVD these_DD2 trimmings_NN2 --_JJ fatty_JJ edges_NN2 sliced_VVN from_II better_JJR cuts_NN2 of_IO meat_NN1 --_NN1 from_II Greater_NP1 Omaha_NP1 Packing_NN1 ,_, where_CS some_DD 2,600_MC cattle_NN2 are_VBR slaughtered_VVN daily_RR and_CC processed_VVN in_II a_AT1 plant_NN1 the_AT size_NN1 of_IO four_MC football_NN1 fields_NN2 ._. 
As_CSA with_IW other_JJ slaughterhouses_NN2 ,_, the_AT potential_NN1 for_IF contamination_NN1 is_VBZ present_JJ every_AT1 step_NN1 of_IO the_AT way_NN1 ,_, according_II21 to_II22 workers_NN2 and_CC federal_JJ inspectors_NN2 ._. 
The_AT cattle_NN2 often_RR arrive_VV0 with_IW smears_NN2 of_IO feedlot_NN1 feces_VVZ that_CST harbor_VV0 the_AT E._NP1 coli_NN2 pathogen_NN1 ,_, and_CC the_AT hide_NN1 must_VM be_VBI removed_VVN carefully_RR to_TO keep_VVI it_PPH1 off_II the_AT meat_NN1 ._. 
This_DD1 is_VBZ especially_RR critical_JJ for_IF trimmings_NN2 sliced_VVN from_II the_AT outer_JJ surface_NN1 of_IO the_AT carcass_NN1 ._. 
Federal_JJ inspectors_NN2 based_VVN at_II the_AT plant_NN1 are_VBR supposed_JJ to_TO monitor_VVI the_AT hide_NN1 removal_NN1 ,_, but_CCB much_RR can_VM go_VVI wrong_RR ._. 
Workers_NN2 slicing_VVG away_RL the_AT hide_NN1 can_VM inadvertently_RR spread_VVI feces_NN2 to_II the_AT meat_NN1 ,_, and_CC large_JJ clamps_NN2 that_CST hold_VV0 the_AT hide_NN1 during_II processing_VVG sometimes_RT slip_VV0 and_CC smear_VV0 the_AT meat_NN1 with_IW feces_NN2 ,_, the_AT workers_NN2 and_CC inspectors_NN2 say_VV0 ._. 
Greater_NP1 Omaha_NP1 vacuums_NN2 and_CC washes_VVZ carcasses_NN2 with_IW hot_JJ water_NN1 and_CC lactic_JJ acid_NN1 before_II sending_VVG them_PPHO2 to_II the_AT cutting_NN1 floor_NN1 ._. 
But_CCB these_DD2 safeguards_NN2 are_VBR not_XX foolproof_JJ ._. 
"_" As_II the_AT trimmings_NN2 are_VBR going_VVG down_RP the_AT processing_NN1 line_NN1 into_II combos_NN2 or_CC boxes_NN2 ,_, no_PN121 one_PN122 is_VBZ inspecting_VVG every_AT1 single_JJ piece_NN1 ,_, "_" said_VVD one_MC1 federal_JJ inspector_NN1 who_PNQS monitored_VVD Greater_NP1 Omaha_NP1 and_CC requested_VVN anonymity_NN1 because_CS he_PPHS1 was_VBDZ not_XX authorized_VVN to_TO speak_VVI publicly_RR ._. 
"_" We_PPIS2 would_VM step_VVI in_RP and_CC stop_VVI the_AT line_NN1 ,_, and_CC do_VD0 whatever_DDQV you_PPY do_VD0 to_TO take_VVI it_PPH1 off_RP ,_, "_" said_VVD Esley_NP1 Adams_NP1 ,_, a_AT1 former_DA supervisor_NN1 who_PNQS said_VVD he_PPHS1 was_VBDZ fired_VVN this_DD1 summer_NNT1 after_II 16_MC years_NNT2 following_RA a_AT1 dispute_NN1 over_II sick_JJ leave_NN1 ._. 
"_" But_CCB that_DD1 does_VDZ n't_XX mean_VVI everything_PN1 was_VBDZ caught_VVN ._. "_" 
Two_MC current_JJ employees_NN2 said_VVD the_AT flow_NN1 of_IO carcasses_NN2 keeps_VVZ up_RP its_APPGE torrid_JJ pace_NN1 even_CS21 when_CS22 trimmers_NN2 get_VV0 reassigned_JJ ,_, which_DDQ increases_VVZ pressure_NN1 on_II workers_NN2 ._. 
To_TO protest_VVI one_MC1 such_DA episode_NN1 ,_, the_AT employees_NN2 said_VVD ,_, dozens_NNO2 of_IO workers_NN2 walked_VVD off_II the_AT job_NN1 for_IF a_AT1 few_DA2 hours_NNT2 earlier_RRR this_DD1 year_NNT1 ._. 
Last_MD year_NNT1 ,_, workers_NN2 sued_VVD Greater_NP1 Omaha_NP1 ,_, alleging_VVG that_CST they_PPHS2 were_VBDR not_XX paid_VVN for_IF the_AT time_NNT1 they_PPHS2 need_VV0 to_TO clean_VVI contaminants_NN2 off_II their_APPGE knives_NN2 and_CC other_JJ gear_NN1 before_II and_CC after_CS their_APPGE shifts_NN2 ._. 
The_AT company_NN1 is_VBZ contesting_VVG the_AT lawsuit_NN1 ._. 
Greater_NP1 Omaha_NP1 did_VDD not_XX respond_VVI to_II repeated_JJ requests_NN2 to_TO interview_VVI company_NN1 officials_NN2 ._. 
In_II a_AT1 statement_NN1 ,_, a_AT1 company_NN1 official_NN1 said_VVD Greater_NP1 Omaha_NP1 had_VHD a_AT1 "_" reputation_NN1 for_IF embracing_VVG new_JJ food_NN1 safety_NN1 technology_NN1 and_CC utilizing_VVG science_NN1 to_TO make_VVI the_AT safest_JJT product_NN1 possible_JJ ._. "_" 
The_AT Trimmings_NN2 In_II making_VVG hamburger_NN1 meat_NN1 ,_, grinders_NN2 aim_VV0 for_IF a_AT1 specific_JJ fat_JJ content_JJ --_NN1 26.6_MC percent_NNU in_II the_AT lot_NN1 that_CST Ms._NNB Smith_NP1 's_GE patty_NN1 came_VVD from_II ,_, company_NN1 records_NN2 show_VV0 ._. 
To_TO offset_VVI Greater_NP1 Omaha_NP1 's_GE 50/50_MF trimmings_NN2 ,_, Cargill_NP1 added_VVD leaner_JJR material_NN1 from_II three_MC other_JJ suppliers_NN2 ._. 
"_" Potentially_RR ,_, it_PPH1 could_VM let_VVI Cargill_NP1 shift_VVI all_DB the_AT responsibility_NN1 ,_, "_" Mr._NNB Stevens_NP1 said_VVD ._. 
In_II March_NPM1 ,_, he_PPHS1 sent_VVD his_APPGE findings_NN2 to_II William_NP1 Marler_NP1 ,_, a_AT1 lawyer_NN1 in_II Seattle_NP1 who_PNQS specializes_VVZ in_II food-borne_JJ disease_NN1 cases_NN2 and_CC is_VBZ handling_VVG the_AT claims_NN2 against_II Cargill_NP1 ._. 
"_" Most_DAT of_IO the_AT time_NNT1 ,_, in_II these_DD2 outbreaks_NN2 ,_, it_PPH1 's_VBZ not_XX unusual_JJ when_CS I_PPIS1 point_VV0 the_AT finger_NN1 at_II somebody_PN1 ,_, they_PPHS2 try_VV0 to_TO point_VVI the_AT finger_NN1 at_II somebody_PN1 else_RR ,_, "_" Mr._NNB Marler_NP1 said_VVD ._. 
But_CCB he_PPHS1 said_VVD Mr._NNB Steven_NP1 's_GE finding_NN1 "_" does_VDZ n't_XX rise_VVI to_II the_AT level_NN1 of_IO proof_NN1 that_CST I_PPIS1 need_VV0 "_" to_TO sue_VVI Greater_NP1 Omaha_NP1 ._. 
It_PPH1 is_VBZ unclear_JJ whether_CSW Cargill_NP1 presented_VVD the_AT Hawaii_NP1 findings_NN2 to_II Greater_NP1 Omaha_NP1 ,_, since_CS neither_DD1 company_NN1 would_VM comment_VVI on_II the_AT matter_NN1 ._. 
In_II December_NPM1 2007_MC ,_, in_II a_AT1 move_NN1 that_CST Greater_NP1 Omaha_NP1 said_VVD was_VBDZ unrelated_JJ to_II the_AT outbreak_NN1 ,_, the_AT slaughterhouse_NN1 informed_VVD Cargill_NP1 that_CST it_PPH1 had_VHD taken_VVN 16_MC "_" corrective_JJ actions_NN2 "_" to_TO better_RRR protect_VVI consumers_NN2 from_II E._NP1 coli_NN2 "_" as_CSA we_PPIS2 strive_VV0 to_TO live_VVI up_II21 to_II22 the_AT performance_NN1 standards_NN2 required_VVN in_II the_AT continuation_NN1 of_IO supplier_NN1 relationship_NN1 with_IW Cargill_NP1 ._. "_" 
Those_DD2 changes_NN2 included_VVD better_JJR monitoring_NN1 of_IO the_AT production_NN1 line_NN1 ,_, more_RGR robust_JJ testing_NN1 for_IF E._NP1 coli_NN2 ,_, intensified_JJ plant_NN1 sanitation_NN1 and_CC added_JJ employee_NN1 training_NN1 ._. 
The_AT U.S.D.A._NP1 efforts_NN2 to_TO find_VVI the_AT ultimate_JJ source_NN1 of_IO the_AT contamination_NN1 went_VVD nowhere_RL ._. 
Officials_NN2 examined_VVD production_NN1 records_NN2 of_IO Cargill_NP1 's_GE three_MC domestic_JJ suppliers_NN2 ,_, but_CCB they_PPHS2 yielded_VVD no_AT clues_NN2 ._. 
The_AT Agriculture_NN1 Department_NN1 contacted_VVD Uruguayan_JJ officials_NN2 ,_, who_PNQS said_VVD they_PPHS2 found_VVD nothing_PN1 amiss_RR in_II the_AT slaughterhouse_NN1 there_RL ._. 
In_II examining_VVG Cargill_NP1 ,_, investigators_NN2 discovered_VVD that_CST their_APPGE own_DA inspectors_NN2 had_VHD lodged_VVN complaints_NN2 about_II unsanitary_JJ conditions_NN2 at_II the_AT plant_NN1 in_II the_AT weeks_NNT2 before_II the_AT outbreak_NN1 ,_, but_CCB that_DD1 they_PPHS2 had_VHD failed_VVN to_TO set_VVI off_RP any_DD alarms_NN2 within_II the_AT department_NN1 ._. 
Inspectors_NN2 had_VHD found_VVN "_" large_JJ amounts_NN2 of_IO patties_NN2 on_II the_AT floor_NN1 ,_, "_" grinders_NN2 that_CST were_VBDR gnarly_RR with_IW old_JJ bits_NN2 of_IO meat_NN1 ,_, and_CC a_AT1 worker_NN1 who_PNQS routinely_RR dumped_VVN inedible_JJ meat_NN1 on_II the_AT floor_NN1 close_RR to_II a_AT1 production_NN1 line_NN1 ,_, records_NN2 show_VV0 ._. 
Although_CS none_PN were_VBDR likely_JJ to_TO have_VHI caused_VVN the_AT contamination_NN1 ,_, federal_JJ officials_NN2 said_VVD the_AT conditions_NN2 could_VM have_VHI exacerbated_VVN the_AT spread_NN1 of_IO bacteria_NN2 ._. 
Cargill_NP1 vowed_VVD to_TO correct_VVI the_AT problems_NN2 ._. 
Dr._NNB Petersen_NP1 ,_, the_AT federal_JJ food_NN1 safety_NN1 official_NN1 ,_, said_VVD the_AT department_NN1 was_VBDZ working_VVG to_TO make_VVI sure_JJ violations_NN2 are_VBR tracked_VVN so_CS they_PPHS2 can_VM be_VBI used_VVN "_" in_II real_JJ time_NNT1 to_TO take_VVI action_NN1 ._. "_" 
The_AT U.S.D.A._NP1 found_VVD that_CST Cargill_NP1 had_VHD not_XX followed_VVN its_APPGE own_DA safety_NN1 program_NN1 for_IF controlling_VVG E._NP1 coli_NN2 ._. 
For_REX21 example_REX22 ,_, Cargill_NP1 was_VBDZ supposed_JJ to_TO obtain_VVI a_AT1 certificate_NN1 from_II each_DD1 supplier_NN1 showing_VVG that_CST their_APPGE tests_NN2 had_VHD found_VVN no_AT E._NP1 coli_NN2 ._. 
But_CCB Cargill_NP1 did_VDD not_XX have_VHI a_AT1 certificate_NN1 for_IF the_AT Uruguayan_JJ trimmings_NN2 used_VVN on_II the_AT day_NNT1 it_PPH1 made_VVD the_AT burgers_NN2 that_CST sickened_VVD Ms._NNB Smith_NP1 and_CC others_NN2 ._. 
After_II four_MC months_NNT2 of_IO negotiations_NN2 ,_, Cargill_NP1 agreed_VVD to_TO increase_VVI its_APPGE scrutiny_NN1 of_IO suppliers_NN2 and_CC their_APPGE testing_NN1 ,_, including_II audits_NN2 and_CC periodic_JJ checks_NN2 to_TO determine_VVI the_AT accuracy_NN1 of_IO their_APPGE laboratories_NN2 ._. 
A_AT1 recent_JJ industry_NN1 test_NN1 in_II which_DDQ spiked_VVD samples_NN2 of_IO meat_NN1 were_VBDR sent_VVN to_II independent_JJ laboratories_NN2 used_VVN by_II food_NN1 companies_NN2 found_VVD that_CST some_DD missed_VVD the_AT E._NP1 coli_NN2 in_II as_RG many_DA2 as_CSA 80_MC percent_NNU of_IO the_AT samples_NN2 ._. 
For_IF Ms._NNB Smith_NP1 ,_, the_AT road_NN1 ahead_RL is_VBZ challenging_VVG ._. 
She_PPHS1 is_VBZ living_VVG at_II her_APPGE mother_NN1 's_VBZ home_RL in_II Cold_JJ Spring_NN1 ,_, Minn_NP1 ._. 
She_PPHS1 spends_VVZ a_AT1 lot_NN1 of_IO her_APPGE time_NNT1 in_II physical_JJ therapy_NN1 ,_, which_DDQ is_VBZ being_VBG paid_VVN for_IF by_II Cargill_NP1 in_II anticipation_NN1 of_IO a_AT1 legal_JJ claim_NN1 ,_, according_II21 to_II22 Mr._NNB Marler_NP1 ._. 
Her_APPGE kidneys_NN2 are_VBR at_II high_JJ risk_NN1 of_IO failure_NN1 ._. 
She_PPHS1 is_VBZ struggling_VVG to_TO regain_VVI some_DD basic_JJ life_NN1 skills_NN2 and_CC deal_VVI with_IW the_AT anger_NN1 that_CST sometimes_RT envelops_VVZ her_PPHO1 ._. 
Despite_II her_APPGE determination_NN1 ,_, doctors_NN2 say_VV0 ,_, she_PPHS1 will_VM most_RGT likely_JJ never_RR walk_VVI again_RT ._. 
