Let’s see where to begin. How about chronologically? As in this is August 2011 and comment submission materials are now due in early October! Have we not wasted 4 years in trying to figure out how to help individuals who are by illness, as in Celiacs, in need of certified foods? The FDA says we are only talking about 1 % of the population that struggles with Celiac. I struggle with that low percentage for it hardly seems a day passes without more attention to this illness. Celiac research paints a different picture, a more startling numeric: 1 in 133 American people has Celiac, according to the National Foundation for Celiac Awareness.

How about the people who are gluten intolerant? That number is certainly growing. The FDA focus is only on the US, but we know some countries, such as Ireland, have taken the lead on product identification and restaurant preparedness. Sure, more restaurants in the states are offering gluten-free menus and increasing their range of selections, but what about the security issue? Everyone needs to be certain that what is labeled or described as GF, truly has zero gluten.

Individuals who cannot tolerate gluten continue to struggle with dining out choices as they fear the separation of foods may not be tightly monitored. These are not whimsical fears. They are life-and-death matters.

So what happened to the “new” FDA that was promised to be a more responsive agency? Seems it is still buried under mounds of paper and limited in its roll-out of important mandates. What can a foodservice professional or a consumer do? React; respond within this extended deadline. Go to www.regulations.gov, and submit a comment. Follow the link.

As concerned consumers and food professionals, we cannot let this comment period slip away and allow mounds of paper to be ignored. We’ve had enough of that. GF and gluten intolerance deserve better attention and protection. Now.

I challenged Congress (the House) when they came up with the money-saving notion of switching to styrofoam cups in their cafeteria. It seemed like a backwards step then as environmental issues needed to be considered. Now several months later the formaldehyde/styrofoam study has come out, and it validates much of what many of us have believed for a long time. Skip the styrofoam.

The same goes for food on pesticide lists. For a number of years there have been lists of fruits and vegetables that should be considered safe and those that should by default move into the organic purchase pile. There have always been some obvious ones such as the berries which hug the soil. (If you crave strawberries, consider organic).  It was common knowledge that if you could peel it, you could remove many of the invading pesticides. Not so fast, Jones.

The report from The Environmental Working Group points a rather strict finger at a fruit that is readily available and well recognized by most: The Apple. It tops the latest list of fruit-invaded pesticides. Apples have had other issues in the past with spraying, but the common belief has been that you could wash the apple well and solve the problem. This report discredits that philosophy.

So what is one to do? It is true that organics have an increased presence in most grocers and markets, but as we well know, the price for switching from the regular produce aisle to the organic one can greatly increase one’s food bill. Not everyone is a candidate for organic shopping. We want variety, and the apple has often been the mainstay of packed lunches and a go-to snack.

According to the report, the apple has some company that gives pause to summer purchases: Cilantro was tested for the first time, and the herb ranked highest in overall pesticide infusion. Its position gives it the unenvious title of having the most unapproved pesticides in any product since the guide was first started in 1995! Not a good position to be in.

Here are the rankings of the 53 fruits and vegetables from the “Shopper’s Guide to Pesticides. Celery is probably pretty happy as it no longer tops the Dirty Dozen; it dropped to 2nd place! Celery, spinach, sweet bell peppers, potatoes, lettuce and greens (kale and collards) are the vegetables most likely to retain pesticide contamination. As for those on the Clean Fifteen, (The vegetables least likely to test positive for pesticides), they found onions, sweet corn, asparagus, sweet peas, eggplant, cabbage, sweet potatoes, and mushrooms. As for the fruits that score the best, those with the least pesticide residue, think avocado, mango, pineapple, watermelon, and grapefruit.

Just a week or so ago, the USDA introduced The Plate and took the Food Pyramid out of our lexicon. The plate is stacked in favor of fruits and vegetables. A little irony there, as we need to put the safest fruits and vegetables on the plate; not just any fruits and vegetables!

Timing is everything. Don’t forget your reusable container for coffee!

In the past few years since the Obama Administration took office, it seems that food has become a major player in the national conversation. We have talked about the White House Garden, the commitment to getting people to Move off the couch and be aware of their food intake. Obesity has been a major topic of concern as has the School Lunch program. Yet, so many of these discussions have their roots in much earlier times. It is impossible to speak of food safety legislation today without thinking about the letter Upton Sinclair wrote President Theodore Roosevelt.

Our current obsession with food, chefs, and food trends is nothing new. Buying local and supporting the farmer has deep-seeded, yes, it’s true, roots in our country’s agricultural history. You’ll be able to study the past while reflecting on how so much of what we believe today parallels our government’s earliest commitments to food safety. No need to make this sound so serious, as the exhibit focuses on all the aspects of our food culture.

What this exhibition hall is filled with it the how the Federal government’s programs intersected with our lives whether we are referencing food safety regulation or tracing the early paths of those we affectionately call “agricultural pioneers.” Besides enjoying the numerous posters from the collection including the already popular “Vitamin Donuts” or “Uncle Sam Says , Garden to Cut Food Costs.” My initial favorite, “Eat the Carp” includes the advice, “The muddy taste can be washed away.”

Trust me, you’ll have fun exploring the original records (“Eat More Cottage Cheese“) that explain the history of our country through its food supply with an emphasis on four distinct influences on our food environment: Farm, Factory, Kitchen, and Table.

Check out the event calendar as numerous additional programs and speakers have been lined up to supplement the standing exhibit. The exhibit opens today and continues through January 3, 2012. You need to know that date as you’ll want to go more than once!

We are not talking about a trend unless we are referencing the increased shelf space for GF products. Rather this is a health issue that needs attention in the current environment. This past week there were numerous outreach programs to call attention to the numbers of individuals affected by the disease. Will all of these efforts help? Possibly one of the most powerful benefits will mean that more people will be tested for this type of diet and many will feel better if they make the switch to a GF lifestyle. Not a trend; a healthy reality.

What can manufacturers do? Continue to examine product line and make certain that all the safety precautions have been applied to ensure that the labeling is accurate. Just this week Barbara’s Bakery, the cereal manufacturer, added to its GF lineup. Why not have Puffins Multigrain? Freezer options continue as well with Glutino expanding its pizza lineup with multi-paks. What happens if you are time-starved but crave a complete Italian entree, then Caesar’s GF linup works wonders. You have numerous freezer choices including manicotti, shells, lasagna, and gnocchi. Add your favorite sauce, and you’re covered!

Choices abound. Read the labels carefully and make certain your specific health and allergy needs are met. In the meantime, let’s hope that the FDA gets moving.

Plant but acclimate and look at the 10-day forecast. Most of the gardening centers still have warning signs out about late frosts. Most likely these signs came out of the closet after the unexpected, and unnecessary, 80 degree days in early April! Tomatoes take time and full sun so as we move later into the month, the ground and the plants will be most appreciative. The sun will be do its job, too.

If you’re still in the wondering stage, remember what you grow, you control. A Salmonella tomato warning should probably be the final encouragement to become a gardener. Seize the ground: This is your year.

If you are still hesitant, check out your local farm markets or see if there is even a final short share in a CSA–be local. Support local or be your own locavore.

No need to take sides, but acknowledge the number one issue that hopefully will be improved by the passage and signing of the Act: Food Safety and all aspects of food-borne illnesses. Maybe the myriad of scares and recalls will start to decline, and we will have a safer food system in place. This week, once again, demonstrated how important monitoring and checking is. We began the year with several recalls. (Frankly, I seldom focus on sprout recalls anymore as they are almost commonplace: Buy sprouts and you’re likely to have some sort of Salmonella issue. Of course, there are plenty of small growers who can offer protection, but history has demonstrated more nationwide or regional outbreaks with this particular food than almost any other I can tabulate.)

Let us take out the celebratory horns and whistles to herald the future and the hope of success in monitoring and preventing the prior steady stream of food safety issues. The FDA has published a Q and A page to help set the record straight about what the Act will and will not cover, or accomplish, for that matter.

We can only hope that implementation with its emphasis on prevention will be smooth and life-saving.

Then over this past weekend, the Senate wanted to elevate its place in history as it managed to secure passage of the Food Safety Bill. If you recall, they passed it about a month ago, but there was an outcry about how legislation gets initiated and passed. With a few language adjustments, that fear doctrine was removed. Now as the final legislative countdown of the year is in full swing, the House needs to act to put this into law.

What does this all mean for us, the consumer? Are we safer? Is our food safer? Are we protected?

The answers to all those questions depend on who you ask and how much you trust the various systems. No doubt it has been a difficult year in the realm of food safety with E. coli and Salmonella recalls vying for headline prominence. The CDC reported that 1 in 6 consumers gets sick from foodborne illnesses each year! A frightening percentage.

Many of our sacred foods including peanut butter and eggs went under the knife as consumers were in harm’s way from various avenues. Now will our lives be safer? Will the FDA have the manpower to implement the new legislation? Will school nutrition programs prove to be healthier for the millions of young people that need to get food?

These are all questions of hope. Hope that the continuing efforts from the White House for nutritional benefits and from Congress for legislative mandates for government agencies will all benefit the end user: Us.

It is after all the season of hope.

Several states including Michigan and Washington have already addressed the issue and decided they did not need to wait for any Federal mandate to dictate a potentially unsafe beverage sale. Beer distributors in New York will stop their delivery by early December. The question boils down to scientific safety, the domain in which the FDA can act. We are referencing a product that has high alcohol levels, 12 percent, and gets the added boost of caffeine from the equivalent of multiple cups of coffee. No doubt you believe you can fly. If the FDA acts, we can safely say that its action has been a long time coming: See 2009 link.

Hospitalization, injury, death–those words should create enough of a buzz without having to worry about mixing two categories of drinks into one dangerous high.

This time, a year later than anticipated, the FDA needs to act. Some products just should not be so readily available and heavily marketed. Danger outweighs gain.

This week new questions about other products. First, the POM Wonderful controversy. This is a topic I have covered in the past, but now regulators have stepped in and decided there is more to this story than just a claim. The Federal Trade Commission responded to the claims about heart, prostate, and erectile dysfunction with a lawsuit that demands greater substantiation. Let me guess this action will not disappear quickly nor hide under the radar as the product holds a prominent position among beverage sales.

In another matter, that started several weeks ago, the flavor kings of ice cream decided to halt some of their claims. The Ben and Jerry ice cream folks have changed their labels and removed “All Natural” in products that have ingredients that stretch that definition. If you have processed or artificial ingredients, then “natural” takes on a different meaning. No longer will their labels tout their natural ingredients when those ingredients include sweetener derivatives or other processed foods. Natural is natural.

The less we say; the less the label brags, the better the likelihood that the product fulfills its promise. The FDA has numerous issues on its plate including efforts for proper labeling. Regardless of which Federal agency decides to bring forth a discussion about label claims, the consumer deserves the honest approach.

Sometimes, less is more. Give us the straight shot.

A lot has happened in the food world, or nothing has happened, depending on your outlook.  Little changes prove noticeable as in the more things change, the more they stay the same. So sameness envelops what’s happening, or not, when we speak of food safety and when the phrase, the FDA gets mentioned.

Yes, folks, it’s an election year and that means paper gets shuffled, but in the fall weeks preceding a November election, time stands still. Any hope of seeing the FDA assume the leadership mantel that was so eloquently promised—review blog entries on FDA and food safety and food recalls--and you’ll notice little change. Sorry, truth is truth. Peanut butter, lettuce, burgers, and eggs are still topics of grave concern and continued surveillance. Without some degree of enforcement, E.coli and Salmonella will continue to be words echoed repeatedly and plague our decision-making.

We have talked frequently about the importance of organics and how some products should only be organic purchases. It seems that the popularity of going organic continues to increase and there are some early indications that the price of organic produce seems to be less out of touch than in earlier years. Irony aside but many stores that have large organic departments also manage to deliver better prices on the organic line-up than their larger chain competitors. Whole Foods continues to accomplish this price-value coefficient. If you need first-hand proof, go to the dairy aisle and check-out organic milk. You’ll be a believer.

Not that there have been miraculous overall changes to the school lunch program, but concern is widespread. Many well-known chefs joined with their nearby school systems and volunteered their time and talent to help implement change. What Jamie Oliver accomplished with his well-publicized Revolution earned him numerous accolades and got couch potatoes to be thinking about more than starches. Then, of course, First Lady Michelle Obama found a judicious cause and continues to champion its direction. Harder to go higher up the ladder than 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue!

Always end with good news, at least that’s what I was taught.

The week has begun. So much to report.

What a week. You do remember not that many months ago our energy was focused on another important house staple, peanut butter, but this time the problem has an even more invasive nature.  The egg recall has expanded, and predictions indicate it will keep growing. The USDA says it is the FDA’s problem, but what is the end user, the consumer, the eater, the chef to do?

Yes, the debacle seems to be linked to two main producers in Iowa, but problems such as this do not just appear. Several people have called the issue pervasive, one with repeat offenders. Food safety; what’s that?

Should we take solace from a sign at a market that says they have been advised to pull eggs from their current distributor, but have replaced their supply from a different company? The problem boils down to who do we trust and what do we do about it. Wash hands more diligently than ever; cook them hard. Keep focused on the changes.

Here is the latest information (at this moment) about the size of the recall and what are the suggested actions. My suggestion: Check the site regularly.

Cook ‘em, skip the soft-boiled egg. If you’re still anxious, buy a thermometer and check the temperature or switch to the pasteurized liquid shaker eggs. That may be the healthy, no cholesterol, way to go.

Bad year for food recalls. Not because we are becoming savvier and getting information quicker, but because food safety remains a top burner issue that often feels like a neglected step-child.

It seems there are no shortage of new companies entering this market, and a growing market space it is! In the US, no one seems to focus on the potential problems associated with these high-flying beverages. A new study from University of Illinois researchers calls for the FDA to put this beverage back on the look-and-see list. Now let’s review: The FDA is loaded with projects and all types of food-related concerns. Where should the over exuberance from energy drinks fit on the agenda? Tough one to call.

The facts from the above study say that this market space with new entrants and more boost for the buck needs attention from someone. They cite the UK which just this past week published a code of practice for the ever-growing energy drink market. The drinks according to the the British Soft Drink Association now need to carry a label warning: “Not suitable for children, pregnant women and persons sensitive to caffeine.” Love that last little phrase! Are there individuals who truly do not get a caffeine bounce? Is the high merely in our mind?

Sometimes. Sometimes. I know that I can have multiple espressos and feel nothing other than pleased by the light colored crema atop the cup. Then there are the times, that last cup has me sailed so that makes me “sensitive to caffeine.”

Warning labels on diet soda drinks are understandable. Warning labels on everything, that’s a whole ‘nother discussion.

Let’s review the issue. The recent negative response is in fear of new regulation that the FDA will assume over food production. Read the release and you’ll see how the Agency has taken all the recent studies into review and now believes that the toxicity factor from BPA products causes more harm than good. Baby bottles as a good example, should be free of BPA. The list is long; we do not need to ingest the chemical. What’s the deal with the  food manufacturers? Sure it will cost record amounts of money to make these manufacturing changes, but health, safety, and well-being should be the focus.

Already one company, Wegmans has distanced itself from some of the negative Association responses. We need to congratulate the company for taking this step. As consumers here is our opportunity to talk with our wallets!

Another company that deserves attention is Nalgene for its move away from BPA (several years ago they took a lot of criticism for not moving quickly enough in this direction). We need to find these companies that have taken a stand and get in line to show our support for their efforts.

Can we ignore a chemical that has a long list of negatives indicating its harmful effects? No, we cannot. We need to protect ourselves by finding products that have eliminated this harmful chemical.

We urge the FDA and EPA to maintain their focus and data analysis. Too many lives are hanging in the balance. Products can be changed.

Eliminating BPA from cans and plastics that come into contact with food should be the focus of this change.

Caffeinated alcoholic drinks have been questionable products for some time, and now, at the urging of numerous state attorneys general, the FDA is going to take action. They have finally figured out that scrutiny is needed, and their letter to 30 beverage companies marks the beginning of a commonsense approach to a serious behavioral safety issue.

They plan to study the safety and legality of these booster beverages. It goes like this, caffeine has been approved in soft drinks as long as it does not exceed 200 parts per million. The caffeine-added alcoholic beverages have questionable scientific approval, and the law specifically states an additive, in this case the caffeine, cannot be considered safe unless it has received prior FDA approval. Caffeine has not been approved as an additive in alcoholic beverages.

Several large alcohol beverage companies (Anheuser-Busch, MillerCoors) took their alcohol-energy drinks off the market well in advance of this Agency scrutiny, but not without prior negative publicity. There are currently no shortage of such combo high-powered drinks. For instance, Tilt is still available, but without the caffeine.

Beverage safety remains an appropriate concern. Without scientific evidence and valid data, it is questionable whether these “drugs,” or so-called beverages, can remain in the marketplace.

You know how much I love my caffeine, but this type of caffeine booster has become a safety concern: A combination of an additive to an already potentially powerful beverage.

This is no ordinary caffeine high.

It’s that time of year when farm market selections get a little repetitive, and it’s a long wait til we rework the soil for the spring garden. Canned goods have a place in our food preparation. Maybe more so at this time of the year than other seasons.

Now this report says: Hold on there: Not everything is as safe as you’d like. Personally, I’ve always preferred glass jars to metal cans but not every manufacturer is on my program. I do have on hand several varieties of metal cans especially for diced bits of tomatoes. Oh, did I mention, tuna. They’re there!

I go with petra paks for soup concentrates but let’s get back to the metal world and this report. (Oops, they found some measurable BPA levels in some packaged soups, but not as high as those found in the specific canned soups). There, of course, is the frozen vegetable category, and Bird’s Eye Steamfresh cut green beans had a very low BPA concentration. Have to practice the Thanksgiving casserole recipe with the frozen beans!

Consumer Reports tested 19 brand-name foods, including a few in the sacred organic category, and found measurable levels of Bisphenol A (BPA) in the products, even in some of those marked “BPA-free.” Canned green beans and canned soups were some of the worst offenders.

BPA exposure especially in infants and young children is a worrisome issue. With older adults it has been directly linked to numerous diseases and cancers. This is one more item, an important one, on the FDA plate: Now is the time for them to take action on BPA and eliminate this worry from our long anxiety list. I am not alone on this FDA Take Action strategy. These are the serious health action groups saying: Enough, Act Now.

Mercury, BPA, and the unknown food safety concern make it hard to have my tuna fish salad sandwich for lunch.

I’ll just have a smaller portion.

It’s fine for a heads up message, but this recall is far more invasive and needs banner type attention. I have blogged numerous times about food safety and specifically about burgers, but this time the impact seems even more frightening.

What was a smaller E.coli warning has moved into headline space. People need to know. Products need to be returned. Freezers need to be checked for product. This is a sizable recall notice affecting multiple states and covering a broad range of supermarket shopping locations.

Consumers need to be aware, and then after that we need answers to what appears as a lengthy list of unending questions: How do we stop this from happening again? Who do we trust? What is going on? What next?

Although we have praised the efforts of the Administration in setting its food policy agenda, we are still struggling with the overall issues of food safety. BTW, you can follow the foodsafety folks on twitter!

For now, hamburgers are off the grill.

When can we feel safe?

It’s official: The

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.

Great news.

Think about the foods you buy and their proper care. Food handling plays a central role in all food safety discussions. The Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) just came out with a list of the 10 riskiest foods that are regulated by the FDA, (these foods account for nearly 40% of all foodborne illnesses). The list has a few surprises such as eggs, tuna, and ice cream. I’m not surprised to see leafy greens (iceberg lettuce, romaine, and spinach, for example) topping the list of most outbreaks.

The whole point of such a headline grabbing article is to get Congress in gear to modernize the FDA, to make it responsive to the current needs of the nation. The CSPI hopes that the Senate will follow the House of Representatives lead in passing the Food Safety Enhancement Act. They believe it is time for passage of the Food Safety Modernization Act.

As consumers we can play a role, but we need all the help we can get.

They write, “Froot Loops qualifies for the label because it meets standards set by the Smart Choices Program for fiber and Vitamins A and C, and because it does not exceed limits on fat, sodium and sugar. It contains the maximum amount of sugar allowed under the program for cereals, 12 grams per serving, which in the case of Froot Loops is 41 percent of the product, measured by weight. That is more sugar than in many popular brands of cookies.“

“Froot Loops is an excellent source of many essential vitamins and minerals and it is also a good source of fiber with only 12 grams of sugar,” said Celeste A. Clark, senior vice president of global nutrition for Kellogg’s, which makes Froot Loops. “You cannot judge the nutritional merits of a food product based on one ingredient.”

The FDA is considering entering the mix and creating a standardized nutritional label. Stay tuned. Definitely time to chime in on the 2010 Dietary Guidelines. In the meantime, consider whole grain products and their health benefits. No translations needed.

So here we are again: Read, Read, Read. Think about what you buy and recognize that no single certificate, check-mark, or endorsement will solve all your grocery shopping.

We must decide our purchases based on simple logic: Less is More.