November 4th, 2009 - Barbara Feiner
I’m serving a special five-course meal to the intellectually challenged members of Congress who support Big Agribusiness and predatory insurance companies over the health and safety of the American people.
Let’s review the menu:
First Course: Double Cheeseburger
Sourced from: San Diego Meat Co. On Oct. 13, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) declared a Class I recall on 925 pounds of ground beef products that may be contaminated with E. coli.
As a refresher, dear legislators, a Class I recall is defined as “a health hazard situation where there is a reasonable probability that the use of the product will cause serious, adverse health consequences or death.”
Cases of ground beef patties and bulk ground beef were shipped to restaurants and caterers in San Diego. Fly to SoCal, and eat up, guys! You can barf later on Shamu.
Second Course: Beef Tongue
Sourced from: Cargill Meat Solutions Corp., Milwaukee. The affected 5,522 pounds, recalled Oct. 17, may include tonsils, which means the company failed to comply with USDA regulations. Tongue tissue may be infected with bovine spongiform encephalopathy (mad-cow disease).
No worries, guys. It’s a Class II recall, which means there’s a “remote probability of adverse consequences.” You like to gamble with people’s lives, so dig in!
Third Course: Chicken & Apple Sausage
Sourced from: Vatran’s Fine Foods, Inc., Tracy, Calif. Approximately 11,500 pounds of assorted meat and poultry products were recalled on Oct. 16 because they were produced without the benefit of federal inspection. It’s another high-risk Class I recall, affecting pork, chicken, turkey and lamb sausages, as well as veal frankfurters and other products. Chow down, wieners!
Fourth Course: Beef Butt Steak
Sourced from: Crocetti’s Oakdale Packing Co. (doing business as South Shore Meats, Inc.), Brockton, MA. Some 1,039 pounds of fresh ground beef patties derived from bench trim, as well as mechanically tenderized beef cuts, may be contaminated with E. coli. The USDA declared a Class I recall on Oct. 26. Hope that nice slab of butt is extra juicy!
Fifth Course: Meatballs
Sourced from: Fairbank Farms, Ashville, NY. This is a biggie: a Class I recall Oct. 31 of 545,699 pounds of fresh ground beef products. This one aggravates me even more because it includes Trader Joe’s Butcher Shop Fine Quality Meats and the Wild Harvest Natural brand. So far, 28 people have been sickened, and at least one person has died.
Diner Rules
You’re expected to clean your plates. Luckily, you have great health insurance—you know, the kind of coverage you refuse to provide to your constituents.
Tags: beef, E. coli, farming, food safety, mad cow disease, meat, Organic Food, recalls, USDA
Posted in Health, Organic Food | 2 Comments »
September 2nd, 2009 - Barbara Feiner
September is National Food Safety Education Month. So, should we don our party hats?
I think not.
Let’s look at some recent news events:
- A woman is fighting for her life in Las Vegas. Linda Rivera was infected with E. coli after eating contaminated Nestle Cookie Dough, which was later recalled.
- Cantaloupes from a Florida distributor tested positive for salmonella on Aug. 21 and have been recalled.
- Jumbo green onions from several distributors were recalled Aug. 12. They, too, tested positive for salmonella.
- The romaine recall we told you about on July 26 continues. Salinas, Calif.-based Tanimura & Antle has expanded it to cover all 50 states.
- Cilantro from a Texas distributor joined the salmonella-infection club on July 28. The product originated in Mexico.
If there was ever a time for a national overhaul of our food-safety systems, it’s now.
True, the House of Representatives has passed the Food Safety Enhancement Act (HR 2749), but there were unresolved issues regarding organic producers and access to local food. OrganicAuthority Publisher Laura Klein has grave concerns about this bill.
Do you worry about the safety of our country’s food supply? Please let us know how recent events have changed your buying habits.
Photo courtesy of the CDC
Tags: FDA, food safety, Food Safety Enhancement Act, legislation, Organic Food, recalls
Posted in Health, Organic Food | 1 Comment »
August 17th, 2009 - Barbara Feiner
They call it “bench trim”—remnants from steaks and other cuts of meat that are used to make ground beef.
In an attempt to prevent E. coli outbreaks, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety Inspection Service has issued a guidance that amps up inspection efforts. Inspectors would begin taking samples of bench trim, which is not routinely tested, during site visits.
According to FDA Commissioner Margaret A. Hamburg, MD, the guidance—which would apply to mainstream and organic meat producers—represents a shift from a reactive (dealing with outbreaks) to a proactive (preventing contamination) agenda.
In recent years, E. coli has been responsible for numerous outbreaks. The bacterium can cause bloody diarrhea, dehydration and kidney failure. Most susceptible to infection are children, the elderly and those with compromised immune systems.
Consumer groups, lawmakers and the Obama administration have demanded FDA reforms and an overhaul of our antiquated food safety system.
Tags: beef, E. coli, FDA, food safety, meat, Organic Food, recalls
Posted in Health, Organic Food | 2 Comments »
August 8th, 2009 - Barbara Feiner
Two new food recalls—ground beef and fresh cilantro—remind us that the safety of the U.S. food supply remains a pressing issue.
On July 30, the House of Representatives passed HR 2749 (also known as the Food Safety Enhancement Act) by a vote of 283 to 142. It gives the FDA increased authority and resources to prevent foodborne illnesses by:
- Requiring food facilities to have safety plans in place to identify and mitigate hazards
- Increasing the frequency of FDA inspections of food facilities
- Providing enforcement tools like mandatory recalls, stronger penalties and subpoena authority
- Expanding the FDA’s traceback capabilities in the event a food-related outbreak occurs
The bill, however, is not without controversy.
Singing its praises is its author, Rep. John D. Dingell (D-MI): “Over the past two years we have seen issues of melamine in infant formula; tainted peppers from Mexico; harmful seafood from China; and E. coli in spinach. Each year, 76 million people contract a foodborne illness in the United States. According to CDC, about 5,000 die. The Food and Drug Administration—the agency responsible for regulating about 80% of the food supply—has been expected to adequately protect American consumers with outdated authorities and woefully inadequate funding. HR 2749 has the support of consumer groups, food safety groups and industry groups. It is a monumental piece of bipartisan legislation that will grant FDA the authorities and resources needed to effectively oversee an increasingly global food marketplace.”
But the Organic Consumers Association has concerns about how the bill will affect small farms and local producers, as well as consumers’ ability to access their products. As the OCA’s Alexis Baden-Mayer notes:
While the language instructing FDA to coordinate with USDA, secured by the House Agriculture Committee in its negotiation with Energy and Commerce, is a very positive step in the right direction, specific language that requires the FDA to coordinate with the National Organic Program on the development and enforcement of standards with respect to organic farming should be included.
Click here to read Baden-Mayer’s full analysis.
The bill now heads to the Senate.
Tags: FDA, food safety, Organic Food, recalls
Posted in Organic Food, Political Action | 4 Comments »
August 2nd, 2009 - Barbara Feiner
The FDA has published three draft guidances designed to help growers and others in the food supply chain minimize or eliminate microbial contamination in tomatoes, leafy greens and melons.
“These new food safety guidelines will facilitate the development of enforceable food safety standards and ensure a safer supply of fresh food for all Americans,” says FDA Commissioner Margaret A. Hamburg, MD.
The guidances will be made final after a public comment period and “will be followed within two years by enforceable standards for fresh produce,” she says.
The recommendations are based on three fundamental food safety principles:
- Prevent harm to consumers
- Use good data and analysis to ensure effective food safety inspections and enforcement of the law
- Quickly identify outbreaks of foodborne illness and stop them
The guidances include recommendations regarding produce growing, harvesting, packing, processing, transportation and distribution. Recordkeeping requirements are also included to enable the FDA to rapidly determine the source of future outbreaks.
The actions taken “will result in safer food in our country, which means healthier children, longer lives and less costly healthcare,” says Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack.
“We commend the FDA for moving forward on initiatives to improve the safety of fresh produce,” adds Jim O’Hara, director of the Produce Safety Project at Georgetown University. “The proposed guidance documents put out for comment address three of the highest-risk commodities, and we hope that the agency will finalize these documents quickly. We also look forward to the agency’s next steps regarding produce safety: issuance of proposed regulations. Science-based, risk-based, enforceable safety standards will restore consumer confidence in foods that are key components of a healthy diet.”
To view the actual draft guidances, follow these links:
Tags: FDA, food safety, leafy greens, melons, Organic Food, recalls, tomatoes
Posted in Organic Food | 1 Comment »
July 26th, 2009 - Barbara Feiner
Romaine, Cookie Dough Recalls
We have a new recall to report: romaine lettuce from Salinas, Calif.-based Tanimura & Antle. The company sells artisan lettuces and specialty vegetables.
As for the Nestle cookie dough recall, the Associated Press reveals that the company had refused to supply reports to the FDA over the last 5 years—not illegal, but certainly noteworthy as U.S. food-safety incidents pile up.
As consumers, we need to put pressure on mainstream and organic companies to comply with FDA inspectors’ requests—even the voluntary ones.
Farm Aid Adds Artists
Farm Aid has signed new artists for its Oct. 4 concert.
“We’re looking forward to welcoming Jason Mraz and Phosphorescent to the Farm Aid family, and having Wilco and Jamey Johnson back to Farm Aid this year,” says Carolyn Mugar, executive director. “Every year, artists and bands donate their time to perform on the Farm Aid stage, raising funds and awareness about the critical contributions family farmers make to our country.”
Farm Aid seeks to build a vibrant, family farm-centered system of agriculture in America.
What’s on My iPod?
I can’t get enough of Jason Mraz’s We Sing. We Dance. We Steal Things—and not just because he’s supporting Farm Aid.
Science geek that I am, I’m finishing up Mary Roach’s audiobook Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers. It’s also available in paperback. Great info about the human body, but not recommended for those with queasy stomachs!
Photo courtesy of Tanimura & Antle
Tags: books, events, Farm Aid, farming, food safety, iPod playlist, recalls
Posted in Organic Living | 4 Comments »
June 30th, 2009 - Barbara Feiner
Right before Memorial Day, as Americans prepared for holiday barbecues, I informed you of a recall involving 96,000 pounds of ground beef potentially contaminated with E. coli.
Now, with Fourth of July barbecues only days away, we face another beef recall. JBS Swift Beef Co., based in Greeley, CO, has recalled approximately 380,000 pounds of assorted beef products that may be contaminated with E coli. Not surprisingly, its a huge factory farm.
Once again, this is a Class I recall, defined as “a health hazard situation where there is a reasonable probability that the use of the product will cause serious, adverse health consequences or death.”
The CDC is investigating 24 illnesses in multiple states; 18 appear to be associated with the recalled beef.
The beef products were produced on April 21 and were distributed both nationally and internationally. Click here for a PDF file that lists recalled products.
As noted yesterday, multiple recalls have eroded consumer confidence in the food industry.
From Our Organic Blog: DIY Ground Beef
Tags: beef, factory farming, factory farms, food safety, meat, recalls
Posted in Health | 1 Comment »
June 29th, 2009 - Barbara Feiner
A spate of food recalls has left a large percentage of Americans wary about the nation’s food supply.
According to a recent IBM survey of 1,000 consumers in the 10 largest U.S. cities, more shoppers are worried about the safety of the food they buy at grocery stores—and their trust of food retailers, manufacturers and grocers has diminished.
Survey results reveal:
- 83% of respondents could name a food product that was recalled in the last 2 years because of contamination or other safety concerns.
- 46% named peanut butter as the most recognizable recall. Spinach came in a distant second, with 15% awareness nearly 2 years after an E. coli outbreak.
- 49% of respondents said they’re less likely to purchase a food product after a contamination-related recall; 63% confirmed they would not buy the food until the source of contamination had been identified and addressed.
- 8% said they would never purchase a recalled food again, even after the source of contamination was found and addressed.
These data should serve as a wakeup call for food growers and producers. A betrayal of the public trust has consequences that impact the bottom line. As IBM notes:
These findings underscore how the rise in recalls and contamination has significantly eroded consumer confidence in food and product safety, as well as with the companies that manufacture and distribute these products.
Tune in tomorrow for more eye-opening survey stats.
For Your Organic Bookshelf: Food Alert! The Ultimate Sourcebook for Food Safety
Photo courtesy of IBM
Tags: food safety, Health, Organic Food, recalls
Posted in Health, Organic Food | 4 Comments »
June 28th, 2009 - Barbara Feiner
The Western Pistachio Association (WPA), a Fresno, Calif.-based trade group that represents growers in California, Arizona and New Mexico, is trying to restore its product’s good name.
Upon learning that Anaheim, Calif.-based Orca Distribution West repackaged and sold potentially contaminated nuts (see yesterday’s story), the WPA issued a press release to help allay consumers’ fears. It states:
Pistachio products subject to the recall should have already been removed from the market by each distributor and/or entity that had potentially contaminated product. The WPA does not condone any entity that knowingly shipped recalled product or withheld information related to the product recalls.
The association has also launched a website that provides a list of safe, regionally grown, organic and nonorganic brands. This is helpful, as I’ve avoided buying pistachios since the FDA initiated the recall in March.
If you’re worried about our nation’s food supply, you’re not alone. According to a recent survey, 60% of consumers polled have qualms about the food they buy. Tune in tomorrow for more staggering stats from the study.
Tags: FDA, food safety, Organic Food, pistachios, recalls
Posted in Health, Organic Food | 2 Comments »
June 27th, 2009 - Barbara Feiner
It’s been a bad year for the food industry, with recalls for peanuts, pistachios, ground beef and the latest entry: Nestle Toll House Cookie Dough.
The ongoing pistachio recall includes more than 660 organic and nonorganic products that may pose a salmonella risk. And even after companies were warned to stop selling pistachios sourced from Setton Farms (ground zero for the outbreak), the FDA recently found that Anaheim, Calif.-based Orca Distribution West had repacked and distributed potentially contaminated nuts under the California Prime Produce and Orange County Orchards brands, most of which were sold at airports and hotels.
According to the FDA, Orca has “not made a public announcement regarding these products.”
As for Nestle, the FDA and CDC have warned consumers to avoid eating any varieties of Nestle Toll House Cookie Dough because of possible E. coli contamination. Since March, there have been 66 reports of illness across 28 states, with 25 hospitalizations. Seven of the hospitalized patients developed hemolytic uremic syndrome, a potentially fatal condition that can seriously damage the kidneys. No one has died.
If you happen to have any Nestle cookie dough in your fridge, throw it away. Don’t bake the dough, as your hands and cooking surfaces can be contaminated by the bacterium. Nestle has updated information on its website, as well as a toll-free phone number to handle questions: (800) 559-5025.
“If there was anyone left in America who didn’t realize we need to reform the food safety functions at the Food and Drug Administration, this latest recall of Nestle Toll House Cookie Dough provides a sobering wakeup call,” says Sarah Klein, attorney for the Center for Science in the Public Interest in Washington, DC.
“For too long, the agency has lacked the authority and the resources it needs to inspect food processing facilities, issue mandatory recalls and punish violators,” she adds. “Once again, the agency is forced to react after illnesses are already occurring, when the focus should be on preventing contamination in the first place. We urge the House to pass the Food Safety Enhancement Act now.”
Photos courtesy of Orca Distribution (top), Nestle
Tags: CDC, FDA, food safety, Health, Organic Food, recalls
Posted in Health, Organic Food | 5 Comments »
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