In recent weeks, more than 160 illnesses in 17 states have been attributed to infection from Salmonella saintpaul . In New Mexico and Texas, the likely source of illness has been identified as certain types of tomatoes, once again raising questions about the nation's food safety system.
The current crisis recalls concerns raised in 1995 when it was raspberries contaminated by cyclospora, in 1997 when it was strawberries with hepatitis A and in 2006 when it was spinach with E. coli.
One question is paramount: Why hasn't the Food and Drug Administration put in place mandatory, enforceable standards for the growing, harvesting and processing of fresh produce?
The standards should be risk-based and commodity-specific and allow for evolving science.
The "why not" is all the more perplexing, given that not only consumer groups but major trade associations have called for this reform.
JIM O'HARA
Silver Spring
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/06/12/AR2008061203876.html
BY DUSTIN LANCE - I agree that something needs to be done. Food, clothing and shelter are the basic necessities of life. We live in a society where we rely on others to ensure our food is safe. The system we have in place is obviously outdated and no longer performs the function it was established for. It is time for our representatives to stop wasting time and money on pet pork barrel projects and get down to the business of protecting the country's citizens.
