Federal law should require ID of stores that sold recalled meat

A newly proposed rule to make meat and poultry recalls more effective is a step in the right direction, says Ohio State University economist Neal Hooker.
However, Hooker, an assistant professor of agricultural, environmental and development economics, still feels that even more could be done. His 2004 study revealed that only about half of recalled meat and poultry are ever recovered.
He, as well as the Food Safety and Inspection Service, is suggesting that the government should publicize the names and locations of stores with the recalled products, to increase visibility to potential consumers.
Currently, recalled meat and poultry products are publicized on an FSIS Web site and through press releases in the states where the meat was distributed. Notifications are sent to public health agencies, wholesalers and retailers. However, retail locations where the recalled products have been sold are not listed for public view.
Hooker is also suggesting that stores that use “customer loyalty cards” or “frequent shopper cards” could use the information in those cards to alert customers of recalls, although that suggestion is meeting with concerns about the releasing of private information.