Distiller’s Dried Grains (DDG) is a by-product in ethanol production after distillation of the fermentation broth. It is usually used as a component in animal feed. A recent study by scientists at the Department of Animal Sciences and Industry, Kansas State University (United States), have shown a postitive association between DDG in feed and the prevalence of E. coli O157 in cattle. (E. coli O157 is a toxin-producing strain of E. coli which can cause food-borne illnesses). Fecal samples of cattle fed with 25% DDG with 5% or higher stillage had higher counts of E. coli O157. Batch ruminal microbial studies and fecal microbial fermentation studies also point to the the close association between the presence of DDG in cattle feed and prevalence of E. coli O157. The researchers concluded that the results may have implications in food safety. The study is published in the journal, Applied and Environmental Microbiology (URL above)..