The recent barrage of food recalls has many consumers wary. From salmonella-tainted pistachios that affected hundreds of products, to spinach contaminated with e-coli, many of us are wondering what's next.
However, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) states that Americans did not suffer more food poisoning in 2008, despite the many high-profile food recalls. Still, the public concern is understandable; contaminated food can cause serious illness, including organ damage and even death. Yet, according to the CDC, a few states aren't doing enough to ensure that food is safe for consumers.
Despite the sluggard response from these states, politicians and government institutions are mobilizing. It's likely due to the thousands of people and animals being infected with dangerous bacteria such as salmonella, e-coli and listeria. Representative Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.), Rep. John Dingell (D-Mich.) and Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) have backed bills designed to improve the safety of the food supply.
Some of the measures proposed in the bills include a traceability measure to track tainted food products, granting new inspection powers to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), splitting the agency into two - one focusing on food safety only, and the other overseeing drugs and devices. Other measures include federal oversight of farms and food processors, and imposing agricultural standards for food crops.
While many producers who once opposed stricter standards are warming up slightly to the new measures, for others, cost is a prohibitive issue. Some smaller farmers - although sympathetic to the need for stricter regulations - point out that some of the new food safety regulations puts them at a disadvantage. They often produce many different crops to survive, so increased record-keeping would be overwhelming. Also, they claim that it's easier for factory farms to adapt when they're producing only one crop and have more staff and money.
While we await the outcome of these bills, in the meantime, the FDA and U.S. Department of Agriculture are introducing stronger regulations to protect the food supply. Here are a few you should know about:
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Protection against mad cow disease. Last year the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced final regulations barring certain cattle materials from all animal feed, including pet food. The rule is designed to protect animals and consumers against bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) or "mad cow disease."
The prohibited materials are the tissues that have the highest risk for carrying the agent thought to cause BSE - the brains and spinal cords from cattle 30 months of age and older. Also included is the entire carcass of cattle not inspected and passed for human consumption, unless the cattle are less than 30 months of age, or the brains and spinal cords have been removed.
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Higher standards for hams. According to the USDA, cured hams are popular springtime fare. Today most hams are cured at federal establishments under strict USDA guidelines to eliminate foodborne pathogens and other food safety risks. They are inspected by the USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS). When cured hams have the USDA mark of inspection, you know that the product has been fully inspected for safety and wholesomeness.
- Securing imported food. The FDA has established the "Beyond our Borders" initiative to strengthen cooperation with the FDA's counterpart agencies around the world. They've received approval to establish eight fulltime permanent FDA positions at U.S. diplomatic posts in China, pending authorization from the Chinese government.
According to Murray M. Lumpkin, deputy commissioner for International and Special Programs at the FDA, it's part of a significant step toward ensuring access to safe food, drugs and medical devices in the global market.
