2 Executed in China

CNN reported that two people convicted of intentionally adding melamine to milk were executed today in China. Several others are serving 15 years to life.

The operators of the peanut butter plant in Georgia, that was implicated in a massive recall this year went out of business. I am not suggesting that we need to have the extreme that happened above in China. However, I do believe that those individuals involved in the food chain in the US need to take it seriously. It is a matter of life and death.

Unilever issued a recall on Shedd's Country Crock Chilled Side-Dish items. After a reported illness, they discovered that a co-packer had not informed them that an ingredient in the product contained sulfites. Persons with allergies or sensitivity to sulfites can have life threatening reactions.

Recalls for allergens are on the rise. Some are due to improper labelling and some are discovered by the lack of understanding of the ingredients used. Others are caused by inadequate sanitation. Do HACCP plans protect the consumer?

Another recall for salmonella in produce happened this week. This time cantaloupes sold by Five Crowns Marketing in Brawley, California discovered a positive test on a lot of product from November 4. The cantaloupes were shipped to several states.

There are new procedures initiated in produce since the spinach debacle in 2008. These procedures should reduce the chance for contamination and improve the recall procedures. Is testing fast enough? Are recalls initiated soon enough?

In this holiday season, take special precautions. Thoroughly wash all produce. Thoroughly cook your turkey. Don't let raw meat come in contact with produce or cooked foods. Refrigerate items that need refrigeration.

We can all do better as scientists, as producers, as manufacturers, as consumers. Let's take our responsibility seriously and keep our families safe from food borne illness and contamination.

Rudy
rudy@powerinlearning.com