Feb 22, 2008 9:17 AM

E. I. du pont de Nemours and Company and the Agricultural Research Service of the United States Department of Agriculture are partnering to find new ways to detect an E. coli strain in beef. The U.S. Meat and Animal Research Center in Clay Center NE and DuPont Qualicon will develop a new test for E. coli 0157:H7.

"Our mission is to develop scientific information and new technology to solve high-priority problems for the U.S. beef, sheep, and swine industries," said Mohammad Koohmaraie, USMARC director. "In the case of E. coli 0157:H7 detection, we’re looking at collaborative ways to quickly develop a new test."

E. coli 0157:H7 led to more than 30 million pounds of ground beef being recalled in 2007.

"We are committed to providing the meat industry with testing applications that use the best science available," said Kevin Huttman, president of DuPont Qualicon. "This agreement allows us to work with experts from the USDA ARS toward the common goal of an E. coli 0157:H7 test that is even faster, more accurate, and more efficient."