Thread: SAFETY OF IMPORTED FOOD

In recent years, Salmonella outbreaks have been traced back to lettuce, salads, melons, sprouts, tomatoes, and other fruit- and vegetable-containing dishes. In 2004, there were three separate outbreaks involving 561 Salmonella infections that were linked to contaminated Roma tomatoes. From 2000 to 2002, Salmonella-contaminated cantaloupe imported from Mexico sickened 155 and killed two. Salmonella isn't the only pathogen that ends up on produce. In 2003, green onions in salsa from a Pennsylvania ChiChi's restaurant transmitted hepatitis A to 555 people, killing three. Also that year, E. coli on a bagged salad mix sickened more than 50 restaurant patrons in the San
1.
http://www.accessexcellence.org/HHQ/qow ... 51205.html


FDA Statement on Lead Contamination in Certain Candy Products Imported from Mexico
1. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is aware of a problem associated with lead contamination of some Mexican candy products being sold in the United States and is advising parents, care providers and other responsible individuals that it would be prudent to not allow children to eat these products at this time.
FDA has compiled information which indicates that candies and related products that contain significant amounts of chili powder may contain higher lead levels than other types of candy, such as candy that contains predominantly sugar. Examples of chili containing products include lollipops coated with chili and powdery mixtures of salt, lemon flavor and chili seasoning sold as a snack item.
In addition, tamarind, a popular Mexican candy item, can become contaminated with lead if it is sold in poorly made glazed ceramic vessels that release lead from the glaze into the candy.
http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/news/2004/NEW01048.html

IA #25-20, 11/25/03, IMPORT ALERT #25-20, "DETENTION WITHOUT PHYSICAL EXAMINATION OF GREEN ONIONS (SCALLIONS) FROM SPECIFIC FIRMS IN MEXICO" (***) indicates changes/revisions TYPE OF ALERT: Detention without Physical Examination (DWPE) (Note: This import alert represents the Agency's current guidance to FDA field personnel regarding the manufacturer(s) and/or products(s) at issue. It does not create or confer any rights for or on any person, and does not operate to bind FDA or the public) PRODUCT: Green onion (scallions), fresh, raw PRODUCT CODE: 25J [ ][] 04 Green Onion (scallion) 25L [] [] 04 Green onion dried or paste 25J [] [] 99 General code - Root & Tuber Vegetable, N.E.C. PROBLEM: Hepatitis A Virus PAF: MIC PAC FOR COLL: 03F098 COUNTRY: MEXICO (MX)

http://www.fda.gov/ora/fiars/ora_import_ia2520.html


USDA Ignores Possibility of Contaminated Meat Imported From Mexico
Congressional Probe Sought On Eve of Presidential Visit to Mexico
1. WASHINGTON — According to official internal reports, about one-third of the Mexican meat slaughtering and processing plants inspected by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) were so ill-equipped, dirty, or otherwise in violation of USDA safety rules that they were barred from exporting to the U.S. However, senior USDA officials rejected the recommendation of USDA’s inspectors to immediately audit “Mexico’s entire meat inspection system.”
“President Bush should urge President Fox to improve Mexico’s meat inspection system to assure consumers that the safety of their food is not being sacrificed on the altar of international trade,” said Benjamin Cohen, Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) Senior Staff Attorney.
http://www.cspinet.org/new/mex_meat.html


1. An analysis of 3,500 food-poisoning outbreaks shows that contaminated produce is responsible for the greatest number of individual food-borne illnesses. The Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) still enthusiastically recommends eating more fresh fruits and veggies, not less. But it also recommends instituting better food-safety practices on farms in America and abroad to help reduce the risk to consumers.
“Dirty irrigation water and the use of untreated manure can help spread animal pathogens to fruits and vegetables,” said CSPI food safety director Caroline Smith DeWaal. “While consumers can help minimize risk by careful washing, much of the responsibility for food safety must begin right on the farm.”
In November 2003, an outbreak of Hepatitis A was traced back to green onions imported from Mexico. The outbreak resulted in 555 illnesses and 3 deaths—many of which CSPI says could have been prevented with better practices on the farm and a more responsive surveillance system.
http://www.cspinet.org/new/200404011.html

March of 1999, FDA initiated a 1000 sample survey focused on high volume imported fresh produce. Broccoli, cantaloupe, celery, cilantro, culantro, loose-leaf lettuce, parsley, scallions (green onions), strawberries and tomatoes were collected and analyzed for Salmonella, and E. coli O157:H7. All commodities except for cilantro, culantro, lettuce and strawberries were analyzed for Shigella. Twenty-one countries were represented in the collection and sampling of fresh produce.

In order to assess the adequacy of the firm's agricultural, processing, and transportation practices, FDA personnel should review submitted information describing the firm's practices in the following areas: * Water quality in irrigation, packing, and cooling; * Manure use and biosolids, animal management; * Worker health and hygiene; * Sanitary facilities in field and packing house, disposal of sewage and Silage; * Maintenance program for cleaning, sanitizing equipment; * Field and packing facility sanitation; * Transportation;

http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/prodsur6.html



Untreated Citrus From Mexico
1. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
SUMMARY: We are amending the fruits and vegetables regulations to provide for the importation of untreated citrus (grapefruit, sweet oranges, and tangerines) from Mexico for processing under certain conditions. We believe the conditions under which untreated citrus from Mexico will be allowed importation to be sufficient for safeguarding fruit that are moving from Mexico to Texas. This action will relieve unnecessary restrictions while continuing to protect against the introduction of quarantine pests through imported fruits. DATES: Effective Date: July 10, 2006. [[Page 33173]] FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. David Lamb, Import Specialist, Commodity Import Analysis and Operations, PPQ, APHIS, 4700 River Road Unit 133, Riverdale, MD 20737-1228; (301) 734-4312.

http://link.toolbot.com/govnotes.com/55209

Do NOt buy it ....look at the boxes or ask ...buy local and American and say you will not buy their trash

Originally Posted by redbadger[quote

]Do NOt buy it ....look at the boxes or ask ...buy local and American and say you will not buy their trash

[/quote]

Some of the produce is number coded and some of it is not and if you asks they do not know or will not tell you. I do not buy any product from out of the country, if I know it is.

Originally Posted by redbadger

Do NOt buy it ....look at the boxes or ask ...buy local and American and say you will not buy their trash

You got that right. I look at the labels, if it is not American Grown, I don’t need it and even then I still have to decontaminate it before consumption.

The point I was trying to make is that food we think that is contaminated in resturants is really contaminated before they reach the resturant or stores.

Originally Posted by dyehard39

The point I was trying to make is that food we think that is contaminated in resturants is really contaminated before they reach the resturant or stores.

I think it is a combination of both. Either way, I don’t eat at restaurants.

Boy Howdy... I really work very hard not to eat out...For many reasons
and I will not buy fruit or veggie from other countries...I did field ecology field biology many years ago and in one country I need not name....no way with what I know...do not believe anyone who says it is safe ...it is a damn lie on several levels

After the last outbreak from e-coli contanimated vegies, I will never eat food prepared by any fast food chain. I also will never eat at resturants that have salad bars. If I cant get something that is fully cooked, I will not eat at that resturant. Somehow, some way, people are going to figure out where the source of contanimation comes from. Its from unclean employees- illegal immigrants- who have never been taught hygiene. I DONT WANT THEIR HANDS TOUCHING MY FOOD! So, no matter if illegal aliens are granted a form of 'amnesty' in the agjob arena, I will never trust any food product they come in contact with.

A few months ago, our ranchers wanted to be able to label the meat, with
"USA Beef"....the government wouldn't allow it.

They knew if the meat was labeled, Americans would buy American beef.

I also heard on the news, that our meat is radiated, to stay red longer...therefore we have no idea how old the meat is.

I still see no purpose in exchanging foods between countries!

If you can include some of this companies products in your diet, you should give it a try. http://www.colemannatural.com/