Although the media is much more likely to set off all the bells and whistles for a toy recall, the Federal Food and Drug Association’s (FDA) food safety alerts seem to get much less attention. From September 1 through October 24, 2011 CPSC announced eight recalled toys covering a total quantity of 1,863,805 units. The safety issues involved in these eight recalls include a laceration injury, 2 potential small part choking incidents, 1 lead paint incident and one potential suffocation concern. These recalls were prompted by one injury and three child-involved incidents where no injury occurred, as well as toy manufacturers' own product integrity program checks and balances.
On the other hand, during that same time period, the FDA has announced a whooping 45 food-related recalls! These food alerts included violations that could result in illness, reactions and infections that range from serious to life threatening. The FDA recalls rarely list a quantity of units involved, so it might be reasonable to assume that these potentially expose many more consumers to harm than those toys recalled during the same time period.
Take a look at what the last fifty-five days of food recalls brought to light:
- Wire pieces in snacks
- Undeclared milk
- Undeclared peanuts
- Undeclared sulfites
- Undeclared wheat
- Undeclared gluten
- Undeclared egg
- Undeclared tree nuts
- Undeclared shrimp
- Uneviserated fish
- Listeria monocytogenes
- Salmonella
- Elevated levels of histamine
Listeria monocytogenes and Salmonella are both organisms that can cause serious to fatal infections in young children, as well as individuals who are elderly, frail or have compromised immune systems. Listeria infection has also been known to cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women. Elevated levels of histamine in food can cause various reactions, which may not be limited to a burning sensation in the mouth, facial swelling, rash, hives or itchy skin. Others might experience nausea, vomiting or diarrhea. Wire mesh or small fragments of wire pieces caused scratching and scraping in and around the mouth, gums and throat.
Twenty-two undeclared allergens, 15 cases of Listeria monocytogenes contamination, and eight cases of Salmonella contamination make up the majority of the food health warnings. While smaller food producers were called out in these alerts, big players like General Mills, Nestle, Kroger, Kraft, Pepperidge Farms and Quaker Oats were also culprits. With numbers and name brands like these being recalled within only 55 days, it is surprising that more attention to FDA’s failing report card does make the headlines. In fact, for the most part, they barely made a blip on the media radar.The FDA is the federal agency held responsible for overseeing most of the food supply in the United States. Their goal remains to protect the public health by ensuring the nation’s food supply is safe, correctly labeled and packaged. It’s a tough job, since they face increasing challenges in this world of globalization. Innovative new food and animal drug technologies seem to be changing faster than the rules and regulations can address. More and more people are becoming sensitive to airborne and foodborne pathogens, making undeclared allergens a serious concern. The escalated problem with obesity in our children and adults provides a petri dish for many chronic medical conditions. Surprisingly, the FDA states that intentional contamination of food is also a growing concern.
On January 4, 2011, the President signed into law the new Food Safety Modernization Act of 2011 (FSMA). This was the first major revamping of the food safety & protection system in almost three-quarters of a century! The new FSMA enhances FDA authority, encourages partnerships and expands protection system from “farm to table.” (1) Hopefully these new provisions will help reduce the alarming quantity of food safety contaminations that are making their way to our pantry shelves.
(1) See details on FSMA at http://www.fda.gov/food/foodsafety/fsma/default.htm.)
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