In a letter sent to Agriculture Secretary Ann Veneman Monday, several leading Congressional Democrats expressed concern over the USDA's handling of the recent listeria outbreak in the Northeast. Representatives Marcy Kaptur of Ohio, Nita Lowey of New York, Maurice Hinchey of New York, Rosa DeLauro of Connecticut and Henry Waxman of California wrote that they were concerned the USDA missed several opportunities to prevent the outbreak, which has caused 46 illnesses and at least seven deaths.

Two weeks ago, Pilgrim's Pride Corporation recalled 27.4 million pounds of poultry after listeria was detected in the floor drains of its Wampler Foods plant in Franconia, Pennsylvania. Two days later, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced that deli products made at the plant were the likely source for the outbreak. In the letter, the lawmakers call for the immediate implementation of stricter listeria testing rules. The Wampler plant reportedly conducted its own tests for listeria but failed to notify the USDA when company inspectors found traces of the bacteria.

The Congressional members are demanding that the USDA hand over any documents relating to its investigation of Wampler Foods. The letter also asks for updated information regarding the USDA's recent announcement that nearly 1.8 million pounds of Wampler ready-to-eat turkey, possibly contaminated with listeria, were sent to dozens of schools across the country as part of the USDA's school lunch program.