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USDA–Hello, Anyone There? Anyone Care?

Jan 3

Posted by admin in Administration

I guess being naive is a blessing. Who knew that it was OK to inject animals with AMMONIA so it would kill off any potential E. coli or Salmonella pathogen? Not me. And in my limited scientific world, it sounds disgusting, and wrong. Wait, there’s more; the SD Beef company that came up with this idea often got a pass in terms of reinspections.

(It is important to note that the USDA has revoked the company’s automatic exemption from the routine tests and plans to conduct a review of their processes and that the company has not been linked to a major outbreak). A major front page newspaper article was able to get individuals at the Department to focus on the seriousness of the issue.

Wait. The story gets worse. A lot of this “ammonia-ed” meat went into burgers for the school lunch program and to big name fast food restaurants and grocers. Remember all those discussions we had about the end of the burger? Maybe it should be called the end of the USDA as we know it and the creation of a new agency that understands food safety.

This is disgusting. The fact that this kind of pass-play has been going on for several years now says no one is looking nor is anyone being logical about the dire state of our food safety network. We were told and basically believed that food safety would be a major issue that would be tackled and improved during the early years of this Administration.

They were wrong. We were wronged.

Once again we are left with the “now what” approach to food safety. Even after multiple suspensions and violations, the company is still on the approved list! How many millions of pounds of this ammonia processed food have worked their way through the system? Through our bodies? How much more is out there ready to be consumed? logo_v2_2We can’t be fighting bacteria in our food preparation if products are sneaking through the system without proper inspections.

Not everyone can grind their own meat or shop at grocers that promise they are using straight beef products and not supplementing the meats with parts that make it into pet food.

We need to be comfortable about the food we eat and be secure that our children in the National School Lunch Program, part of the USDA, are being given safe food. Officials should not be making decisions based on price alone; the product needs to be thoroughly examined and given a positive stamp of approval. A maybe doesn’t work.

Food safety has to be a front burner issue.

Now.

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Ugly News

Dec 10

Posted by admin in Administration, health, news

We could spend all our time concentrating on news that’s hard to lose: The kind of news that fills the plate but sickens the diner. If you guess food recalls, you’ve got the Ace of Spades. It’s been a tough year as recalls have mounted on top of recalls. Staying on the safe side of food safety has been an ongoing challenge. We’ve had the peanut butter debacle, various fruits and vegetable recalls including cantaloupes, and the big cookie dough scare. As for meats, there have been ongoing chicken concerns, hot dog issues, and numerous ground beef problems.

Is it time to breathe a sigh of relief? Are these recalls a thing of the past? No, not so fast. Once again the ground beef news has been troubling. Another ground beef recall; this one possibly more worrisome as it involved repackaging goods that were known to be on the recall list.

Where is the FDA, the CDC, the Ag Department on all of this? Who’s watching the store? Wasn’t the Administration touting its commitment to overall issues of food safety? What happened?

Not much actually. OK, make that nothing. We are still straddling the line between increased inspections and limited corrections. Food Safety is still a top burner issue that cannot seem to get the attention necessary to move it to the forefront of regulation. This is one time the cry of too much government will not work. We need the inspections to avoid the recalls.

Getting a recall notice is not the right direction. We need to stop the problem at the source; not after the fact.

I’m thinking macaroni is looking pretty good right now.macaroni

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Hunger: More than a Six-Letter Word

Nov 30

Posted by admin in Administration, food universe, news

The news gets more abysmal by the minute. In this formerly very wealthy county, record numbers of children go hungry. Now we learn that food stamp use is way up and those adults and families once averse to such a program are now willingly taking part in its offerings. This is no time to hide behind the wall of fear of notice. Estimates indicate that the food stamp program is still not reaching 100% of those in need. Going hungry has become a severe problem that continues to grow daily.

In schools the number of children who get to school early for breakfast continues to climb. Those on subsidized lunch programs and children in afternoon care rely on the nutrients offered as school-based food programs may mean the single hot meal in their daily routines. With a special initiative from the USDA, schools will receive additional funds for demonstrating improved menus and healthier quality of foods served. This is a positive first step for a growing national crisis.schoolbreakfastlogo

Just before Thanksgiving the White House announced a more aggressive program focused on the alarming spread of hunger. It’s allied with its commitment to volunteering: Feed A Neighbor. This is a program tied into the Corporation for National and Community Service and linked to an effort to increase volunteerism between now and Martin Luther King Jr.’s Birthday, the National Day of Service, January 18.

Hunger issues are now so profound that we are at the same dire level of food needs as we were almost 15 years ago. Our progress has been eroded. Additional tactics need to be implemented after the January focus as the severity far exceeds the 6-week focus!

Talking about a problem never makes it go away. Besides USDA, Share our Strength, United We Serve, and the major corporations and foundations that have stepped in with action plans, the severity of the issue demands more than mere introspective attention.

We cannot continue to feast in our homes while others go hungry.

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Defining a Smart Choice

Oct 26

Posted by admin in Administration, FDA, news

fruitsveggiesIt’s official: The Smart Choices Program has gone away quietly. Maybe that’s not completely true. Its response was quiet in comparison to the public outrage from consumers, reporters, and bloggers about its premise. The Connecticut Attorney General came out and questioned the program. A maelstrom was beginning. Done. It will no longer accept new applicants nor will it promote its so-called label program.

A big shout-out, maybe one of the most  positive signs of the new Administration’s commitment to food policy, goes to the FDA. Last week when they announced their efforts toward front of the package labeling, they took that big step out of the box. The inherent, albeit underlying, message was that they would actively ascertain the accuracy of  label information. The Smart Choices Program saw the writing. It was not pretty on the wall or anywhere. Their label idea was good in concept but in reality it struck a serious nerve. They were promoting and supporting foods that should never be thought of as smart choices.

Enough. Over. Hopefully, a footnote to the month.

Score one.

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Food Safety Needs All the Help It Can Get

Sep 13

Posted by admin in Administration, food recalls, health

foodthebasicsWith the National Restaurant Association declaring September as the month to concentrate on food safety, it is critical that this becomes a better managed, ongoing effort on everyone’s part. For the 15th annual National Food Safety Education Month, the slogan is  for operators of foodservice establishments to do proper training for all employees. They are encouraged to offer mini-sessions daily to make certain every staff member understands the importance of his mission.

Safety starts with hands, clean hands, and most often, gloved hands. Yet those same employees cannot handle money one minute and with the same gloves, cut the next guy’s sandwich. It’s all about training and diligence. Stopping infection remains a primary goal. All surfaces need to be clean, spotlessly clean, and all food handlers need to remain vigilant about their own personal hygiene.

If you want to understand a restaurant or foodservice’s commitment to food safety, then visit the establishment’s rest room. If it is a mess, sure, tell someone who is supposed to be monitoring it, but recognize that this may be an indication of the business’s overall commitment to sanitation.

Just this past week, the USDA with HHS consolidated its efforts to inform consumers about food recalls and food safety issues. The Administration has been determined to streamline and make information easily accessible while having agencies concentrate on how they can make food safety a primary concern. This site enables the consumer to sign up for alerts as they happen. The slogan that needs to be followed in a restaurant and at home is to “Clean, Separate (don’t cross-contaminate), Cook (to proper temperature), and Chill (refrigerate properly).” No food group appears immune from safety concerns as this has been a terrifying year in terms of basic, so-called ordinary recalls, peanut butter , for example. The crisis in food safety has gone far beyond farm fields and restaurants, and has impacted all our food safety concerns.

It is time to recognize National Food Safety Education Month as an important process that cannot be ignored the other 11 months of the year.

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The White House and the Farm Market

Sep 10

Posted by admin in Administration, Michelle Obama, gardening

farmfreshBy all indications, it looks as if The White House is championing efforts for a farm stand, a farmer’s market, near the White House. This has been a wonderful spring and summer with First Lady Michelle Obama openly visible in the city promoting healthy eating and trying to get her message across about fresh, local foods. The White House Garden, by all indications, has been hugely successful and productive. Her outreach to youngsters whether to help dig the Garden, or to taste the fruits of their labor has been met with positive smiles (check out the videos on the Garden website).

The message quite simply says we need to teach the young and their families about the importance of eating healthy, about supporting the farmers, the growers. Now in what looks like a major coup for DC-based FreshFarm Markets, the operators at this new location near The White House. That is if the street permits, closing a small stretch of road near the White House for Thursday afternoons until the end of October, pass the approval process. Since the expected hours for the Market include the dreaded DC Rush Hour, this is not a plan without controversy.

At this point in time (one week before the anticipated opening), it is unclear how much produce, if any, will come from the White House Garden and if that will be made available in a less expensive format to those in need.

One possibility is to add this location to the DOUBLEDOLLARS program that FreshFarm Markets offers at two locations. The Wholesome Wave Foundation has made it possible to provide matching market food dollars to customers who use Food Stamps, WIC, or Senior “Get Fresh” coupons. Such a program provides the necessary outreach to individuals who otherwise would find the local, farm fresh products exorbitantly expensive.

Opening a farm market near the White House, whether produce came from the Garden, or not, would be another important step in the Administration’s food outreach.

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Prices Rising

Aug 30

Posted by admin in Administration, Economy, food

marketbasketIt’s a good news-bad news story: We are moving into a post-Recession universe. We have seen prices drop on important commodities like milk and eggs: That’s the good news. Now flip the coin, and you get the other story. We escaped a near Depression cycle, but are headed onto a collision course of higher food prices. That’s a problem.

If people are supposed to spend again (post-Recession), and consumers have changed their ways of shopping, cooking, and dining out, this could be a red alert to slow down the rising price cycle. Rising prices will once again turn them away from major purchases if so much of their money has to go to basic food necessities. We must have learned something from this past cycle. Sure not every product dropped in cost (cereals and bakery products are up for the year), but many of the major ones were lower (beef prices were down over 2% in July) enabling cooks and chefs to be creative with a range of foods.

At the same time farmers continue their struggle. Farm incomes are down 38% no matter how many of us have joined CSAs, visit farm markets, and support all the Buy Local campaigns. It’s never been easy farming the land, but this news is truly depressing as the farmer in many ways has become the superstar of the food industry with all the attention being given to finding the best products locally. We have to save the farm.

So we have a double whammy situation: Rising basic food costs and farmers struggling beyond the bounds of livability. Both of these issues need immediate attention from the Administration.

We cannot move forward by continually sliding backwards.

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Hard to Resist the Human Adventure

Jun 1

Posted by admin in Administration, First family, Michelle Obama, President Obama, dining out, health

Two days have passed, and I’m still thinking about the reality of the current Administration. I promised her a trip to New York and the theatre after the whole election process was over. That was the way President Obama explained their night out in New York City. 

My take: No explanation needed. You two have given the Fred Astaire-Ginger Rogers image a heightened perspective. After all you are the President and the First Lady and when you waltz into a room or glide into a theatre, the literal swoon takes over.

The approach and philosophy are such human qualities. It’s so wonderful. As noted before it is terrific to have an Administration that’s in touch. That has a life.

Sure we don’t jet off to New York in Air Force One or its cousin smaller plane and then take the helicopter into the city for dinner and a play. We aren’t the First Family. What do you want them to do, take the $25 bus from DC to New York and miss the play?

Time is too critical; there are too many matters that need desk time before the promise gets fulfilled. Let’s not forget security. It is the elephant in the room at every juncture. It’s in place for a reason. Transport them in the safest way possible. 

Anyway the transportation accouterments come with the office; better to use them than to take the plane for a flyover publicity stunt. Oh, that genius of a marketing person is history!

The homage to Dan Barber is well deserved. He is the New York king of local product and leader of the East Coast freshness movement with his New York restaurant Blue Hill and his upstate dining experience, Blue Hill at Stone Barns, a restaurant and a working farm (The Stone Barns Center for Food and Agriculture): Perfect Symbiosis. 

The First Family has very carefully chosen their dining out evenings. The fact that they have date night just enhances their human quality appeal. The streets of New York were lined with the gawkers. Why not? Gawk away; it is a privilege to see them out and about. The New York Times photo shows the excitement.31obama.650

The Fairy Tale continues.

That’s great news for everyone.

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It's Not a Bad Word Anymore

May 22

Posted by admin in Administration, First family, dining out, news

37605I know the last Administration thought if you said “French’s” mustard, you were somehow supporting the French!

Those days are long gone. It was a tough 8 years, and now we are friends with everyone. Well, almost everyone.

Yet, we do have a little problem: Grey Poupon. Please, President Obama, you know how I elated I am about you as President and continue to glow with your many improvements and changes, but seriously, just ask for mustard and take what you get. No need for name calling, especially what some consider high-end calling.

Remember the beer debacle during the long election process, well, this is its cousin. Those who are not as accustomed as you and Michelle are to dining out, may consider this branding a sign of elitism. I call it “mustard.” You can, too. What you serve in the White House Mess will be what you want and you can ask for whatever–your secret is safe. No one will tell.

When dining out, the world is watching. It’s a good watch to see that you are out and about. Keep on dining out. Forget the state dinners; that’s not where the action is. It’s the restaurant scene: Dining Out by the President and the First Lady shows the country that you are in touch. That you are human and enjoy many of the same activities as your constituents.  

Keep up the good work.

Celebrate life with an all-American favorite.

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Here a Food, There A Food; Everywhere a Recall

Mar 26

Posted by admin in Administration, FDA, food

A day, scratch that, make that a half a day, barely goes by without a new food recall or food scare. This stuff just keeps on pumping out. Sara Lee recalled Ball Park Beef Franks because someone was not paying attention and they may not even be beef. They may contain meats not listed on the label such as pork or poultry or may even be cheesy. Products need to match labels. Labels need to tell the whole story.

Case in point:  Back to Nature Foods recalled the Nantucket blend trail mix this week because they  may contain pistachio nuts. You can be allergic to one type of nut and fine with all the others. The ingredient list needs to be thorough and accurate. Mistakes like this can be life-threatening. Yes, you could eat every nut in the world except the pistachio which could do you in. You need to know.

Of course, we have plenty of knowledge about peanut butter, or do we, since this is an old problem that’s still with us. The first reports came out in January, and that is the problem with a potential salmonella outbreak. Costs are excessive and trust can be lost for a significantly long time. Remember the tomato scare of summer 2008?

Who do we trust? How? What about the report that says many food problems cannot be traced to the source. Swell.

The new FDA holds the promise. The Administration has found well qualified individuals who hopefully will be able to right this disaster of an A09_09_22_thumbgency.

Let’s remember the first word of the FDA’s name–FOOD.

We can no longer sidestep our safety.

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