The Bush administration has refused to issue a standard to control listeria monocytogenes (commonly known as listeria), a dangerous food-borne bacterium often found in ready-to-eat foods that can lead to death, meningitis, miscarriages and premature births. There are approximately 2500 victims of listeria-contaminated food each year, 500 of which are deadly, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Upon taking office, the Bush administration initially held up a proposed rule on listeria as part of a review of regulatory actions completed at the very end of the Clinton administration. Eventually, the administration allowed the proposal to be published in the Federal Register for a public comment period, which closed in May of 2001. Yet despite numerous subsequent listeria outbreaks -- including an epidemic in the summer of 2002 that resulted in 46 illnesses, seven deaths, and three miscarriages -- the Bush administration has failed to finalize the measure, which would require meat and poultry processors to test their plants and products for the deadly bacteria. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) pledged stepped-up testing after the summer of 2002 outbreak, but subsequently released a weak directive to USDA inspectors -- designed to please the National Food Processors Association (NFPA) -- that fell well short of what is needed. The directive dropped plans to fine companies where listeria is discovered, and limits testing to plants processing meats that are considered at high risk of being poisoned with listeria, such as deli meat and hot dogs. These high-risk processors are only asked to test their products -- not their plants or equipment -- for the bacterium. If a processor conducts tests voluntarily, it is under no obligation to share the results with the USDA, even if its products cause deaths or illness. The administration’s refusal to issue a meaningful standard to prevent listeria contamination has perpetuated a dangerous cycle of outbreaks and subsequent recalls -- with eight listeria-related “high health risk” recalls issued since the start of this year.