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Archive for category food recalls

Food Safety: Maybe Not

Jul 30

Posted by admin in FDA, food recalls, health

With all the food recalls that have hit us hard over the past several months, you would think that tougher food safety rules would walk through a Congressional committee. Well, you’d be wrong. Yesterday the House (House of Representatives) “narrowly” defeated a bill that could have helped us all feel more assured about the food stream. The Administration has been strongly supportive of this, but no one seems to be listening.

There was lots of finger pointing and accusations, but no food safety. Sure we want our food recalls to become an event of the past. We want food safety to be paramount in discussions. Not everyone can have a personal relationship with a farmer, with membership in a CSA, or even be assured of the locale of the goods. Too many people are taking unfair adminfsgfarmadvantage of touting “local” when they could be describing a product from a significant distance away.

Food miles are important, but food safety does not mean compromise. Everyone, from the farmer to the FDA and kindred agencies, would be more accountable.

Let’s get a move on. Skip the special interests and listen to the needs of all constituents.

We need to know strict food safety laws will be in place.

NOW.

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Crisis in the Salad Aisle

Jul 26

Posted by admin in FDA, food recalls, gardening

First I become enamored by salad–see Salad Wars–and then I was told to be a little more cautious. Things are a little more confusing, possibly dangerous. What? Not this again.

Yes, it has been the year of food recalls, and this one regarding romaine lettuce is all the more painful since I’ve returned to the salad aisle. We’re talking about a product that was shipped to 29 states–do the math, there are only 50 states, this type of recall, whether merely cautionary or not, affects a large number of people and companies.

It almost doesn’t matter what food is being recalled, but that food recalls have become so numerous, and we as consumers are so vulnerable. This has been the year of the peanut butter, pistachio, and refrigerated cookie dough recall–all products that cut across a broad swath of our society. As we try to improve food safety and consider giving the FDA greater powers and more staff, we are still left without 100% confidence.

It always goes back to the question of who to trust. Even if you have befriended your local farmer and visit numerous farm stands for your fruits and vegetables, there are still plenty of days you need to pop into the supermarket, sometimes just for that extra head of lettuce or some cilantro, another product recently on the recall list.180px-Koeh-193

Whether you call it coriander or cilantro, lettuce or romaine, it behooves us to stay alert.

Time to start more seeds for the fall homegrown crops!

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Not a Good Vibe–Find Another Energy Source

Jul 6

Posted by admin in food recalls, health, news, Uncategorized

bullet_bigHere’s a little different type of recall than we’ve seen in a while. Happy about that part, but not about what’s happened: A food tampering recall of an energy drink. It seems to have made its way into several states already. These test-tube like vials (Hardcore Energize Bullet or New Whey liquid products) should stay off everyone’s shopping list until the all-clear sign.

Today would be a good day to get a boost from some other source. No matter how seductive the vials look or entice–NOT TODAY.

How about an extra espresso?

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Loyalty Cards Rock–Call Me

Jul 2

Posted by admin in food recalls, health, news

loyalty-cardsIf you have hesitated to fill your key chain with your frequent shopper card, you may think twice about that decision. In the latest round of food recalls, customers received an automated phone call or e-mail notification alerting them to a problem with something they purchased. Remember this is not about privacy but a positive vehicle for discounts and in this case, communication.

This has been a scary food and health week. What started as a limited voluntary recall by JBS Swift of some of its beef products for suspected E. Coli is now listed by the CDC as a multistate outbreak. Then there was the Plainview Milk Products Cooperative nonfat dry milk Salmonella suspicion. It, too, started out with a seemingly limited impact and has become more of a major event. It is nice to know that the grocery tracking system has an inherent safety feature.

Then there’s the fallout from the voluntary recall for suspected Salmonella. If you want to understand the depth of the problem: Here’s an easy way. Dunkin’ Donuts has stopped selling its Dunkaccino drinks and hot chocolate as they were made with the mixes from this company. Stop & Shop also stopped selling its nonfat packaged milk products.

So earlier this week both the milk and the beef had more limited recalls. A simple takeway here: When there is a general recall, it is quite possible it will become a bigger one. One that reaches closer to everyone’s shopping and purchasing habits. We should have learned that from both the peanut butter and pistachio recalls.

It’s been a tough week, and it’s only Thursday.

Hard to have a warm, cuddly feeling about our food supply!

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