SUNDAY July 13, 2008 (foodconsumer.org) -- The Department of Agriculture will identify the retailers who are selling recalled meat, but only in cases that the agency believe pose the most serious health threat.

The new rule is reportedly to take effect in August, 30 days after it's published in the federal Register.

USDA came under criticism earlier this year for refusing to reveal the names of stores and schools that sold and used beef recalled by Westland/Hallmark Meat citing private concerns.

Agriculture Secretary Ed Schafer said, cited by Bloomberg News, that listing the outlets or stores involved in recalls will improve public health protection by better informing consumers.

The new rule will only affect the Class I recalls, which pose the most serious health threat, but not likely other classes.

Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.) was cited as saying that the USDA rule does not go far enough and would not have applied to the Westland/Hallmark recall, which is a Class II case.

But Schafer said that if the threat is serious enough, the agency would classify it as Class I recall instead of Class II recall.