WASHINGTON — Senator Kirsten Gillibrand of New York plans to introduce the "E. coli eradication act," legislation that would require all facilities manufacturing ground beef to test their product "regularly" before it is ground and again before it is combined with other beef or ingredients.

If ground beef is found to be contaminated a company would be required to dispose of the batch or cook it to a temperature that kills the E. coli. Penalties for companies that do not implement the additional testing mechanisms in processing facilities also will be included in the legislation.

The bill will be introduced in coming days, according to Ms. Gillibrand’s office.