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The problem will get worse under Republican 'smaller government' and de-regulation platform. Ron Paul went so far as to advocate dismantling FAA and leave Air Traffic Control to the corporations. We need increased surveillance by FDA, USDA, FTC, SEC, OSHA, and CDC to protect Americans, but with funding cuts by the republican congress we are all in jeopardy.
Been complaining about that for over two decades. Politics are politics and money rules the day.
Organic fertilizer or normal chemical fertilizer? Use of well water, "city" water, or river water?
Anyway, potential deadly contamination of foods is reaching disastrous proportions and we need food inspectors more now than anytime in past yet we are receiving less inspections today than in the past. Politics plays the major role in this mess.
Agree!!!
A while back 60 Minutes addressed USDA inspections that amounted to nothing more than random 'look and sniff' of meat. I have never heard of a case where someones vision was 900/20. Culturing and microscopic examination must be part of food inspections.
The water and fertilizer issue may be contributing factors as contaminant sources. Farmers may implement reduction measures but there are so many other sources of contamination that inspection will always be the last line of defense.
I was wondering how many seconds it would take for someone to blame this on politicians. Figured someone would then say there are not enough inspections. My only question I have for many of you is, "have you ever seen and FDA or USDA inspector go about their job?" It is the processors that protect you and the reason they go out of their way to do is that they want to stay in business. Companies invest heavily in food safety to ensure programs are scientifically validated and effective. They are intended to minimize risk, not eliminate it. When problems occur, they are examined and then corrective actions are instituted. The idea that anyone can produce a 100% risk free unprocessed vegetable at reasonable prices, prices you as consumers are willing to pay, is ludicrous.
Hi, mernmern, I was expecting the same nonsense we had on the Romaine listeria thread last week. On this one, you will note the first comment mentioned politics. Sad state of affairs.
I must say, though, that the issue for the majority of consumers is not a price they are "willing" to pay, but a price they can pay. Fresh fruits and vegetable have become more and more expensive as more and more of our land is used to grow corn, which is subsidized and used in so many processed foods that are not at all healthy and now as fuel, too. This entire country is a wreck and the "system" needs to be rebuilt from the ground up.
I could write a thesis but assumed I didn't have to connect all the dots for everyone.
I know a politician is not in the vegetable field micturating on the lettuce. I know birds flying over have no sphincter control. Manure occurs.
The point is Inspection, Inspection, Inspection - which must include random microbial culturing. Demmings Statistical Process Control, or ISO, CLIA, Root Cause Analysis etc. are some of the methodologies to implement to assure safer foods.
You mention "price"? I think 28 lives lost from the listeria contamination of cantelope is too high a price!!! Which is why my first posting #1 links DEREGULATION as an American threat. Besides FDA and USDA inspections do not directly contribute to the cost of beef or beans. However, agricultural entities costs for internal Quality Assurance does directly impact the price of lettuce.
Yes, there are many agricultural firms that address Quality Control very seriously, but also remember it is a global market. Can you really be confident that all imports are safe?
Disclosure: At one point in my carreer I was a Board Certified Infection Prevention & Control Epidemiologist. I grew up in an agricultural community and am an advocate to farmers. I do not have stock/investments in Monsanto or Archer, Midland, Dow (worlds largest food processor that receives over $500K a year in farm subsidies).
Opinions are like anal orifices - everyone has one - but what comes out of it is what is unique. I have children and grandchildren and refuse to compromise when it comes to food safety. Period.
Who knows what such big birds remember and what they don't?
LOL. Took me a minute, but once I got it ........... Thanks for the laugh!
Thanks to..........Dan Tanner?
nad rennat,
It's not easy being yellow... OOPS!
Some of us here get you and your message, and some are just saying the "right" thing.
**it happens!
It really is not easy being green!
VTbabyboomer, what on earth are you talking about?