CONSUMER

U.S. Sets Strict Ground-Meat Cooking Rules: The government said it will impose stricter rules to see that meat processors heat ground-meat products enough to kill harmful bacteria. In the wake of last winter’s outbreak of food poisoning in Washington state linked to undercooked hamburgers from Jack in the Box fast-food restaurants, the Agriculture Department said it was imposing cooking and labeling rules that cover hamburgers, Salisbury steaks, breaded chopped-veal steaks, and beef- and pork-sausage patties. The new rules take effect Sept. 2. Processors must heat partly cooked patties to at least 140 degrees Fahrenheit at the center. The government also tightened sanitary requirements to prevent contamination of ready-to-package patties by raw meat.