“USDA regulations spell out precisely what sort of facility and system is permissible, but they don’t set thresholds for food-borne pathogens. (That would require the USDA to recall meat from packers who failed to meet the standards, something the USDA, incredibly, lacks the authority to do.)” UsdaMeat Processing Book:The Omnivore's Dilemma: A Natural History of Four Meals Source: The Omnivore's Dilemma: A Natural History of Four Meals