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Reply to: Ten ways to localize your supply chain in 2021 Posted October 3, 2021

I would like to provide some perspective on this topic of food safety.   First, the best way to protect yourself from food borne illnesses caused by bacteria is by thoroughly cooking your food.  The micro-organisms that cause food borne illnesses are easily killed with heat. Second, the FDA does not inspect and approve food shipments.  The FDA sets guidance and regulations for producers to follow.  The producers must be educated on these regulations, follow them, and document how they do so.  The FDA may audit companies (though I think small producers are exampt).  The FDA is underresourced and may audit a company avery 3 to 5 years.  Producers are known to cut to corners to save money or make a profit.  Some producers who have caused large food borne illness outbreaks and deaths have been criminally convicted on federal charges (Peanut Corporation of America’s ex CEO Stewart Parnell for instance).   You hear about food recalls due more often now than 15 or 20 years ago because of advances in food science and microbiology.  The FDA (which has had a strong food science program) develop techniques based on PCR technology to identify food borne illness outbreaks across the country and pinpoint the root cause.  It is still a difficult process and many outbreaks remain unsolved.  However, the ones that have been identified (such as the e. coli outbreak caused by raw spinach in about 2006) lead to significant new learnings on how to more safely grow and market fresh produce.  Turns out e. coli from animal feces contamination of irrigation water can cause e. coli to be taken up by plants and for this pathogen to reside inside the produce.  Hence, that is why properly cooked food is safer than fresh produce. The bottom line is that you need to know you producer, no matter the size or geographic location.  If your local producer is dismissive of new ways to produce safe food, I would suggest looking for a new supplier rather than risk you and your family’s health.  Food borne pathogens are nasty and cause more than just an upset stomach to take such a risk.

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Reply to: Ten ways to localize your supply chain in 2021 Posted October 3, 2021

I would like to provide some perspective on this topic of food safety.   First, the best way to protect yourself from food borne illnesses caused by bacteria is by thoroughly cooking your food.  The micro-organisms that cause food borne illnesses are easily killed with heat. Second, the FDA does not inspect and approve food shipments.  The FDA sets guidance and regulations for producers to follow.  The producers must be educated on these regulations, follow them, and document how they do so.  The FDA may audit companies (though I think small producers are exampt).  The FDA is underresourced and may audit a company avery 3 to 5 years.  Producers are known to cut to corners to save money or make a profit.  Some producers who have caused large food borne illness outbreaks and deaths have been criminally convicted on federal charges (Peanut Corporation of America’s ex CEO Stewart Parnell for instance).   You hear about food recalls due more often now than 15 or 20 years ago because of advances in food science and microbiology.  The FDA (which has had a strong food science program) develop techniques based on PCR technology to identify food borne illness outbreaks across the country and pinpoint the root cause.  It is still a difficult process and many outbreaks remain unsolved.  However, the ones that have been identified (such as the e. coli outbreak caused by raw spinach in about 2006) lead to significant new learnings on how to more safely grow and market fresh produce.  Turns out e. coli from animal feces contamination of irrigation water can cause e. coli to be taken up by plants and for this pathogen to reside inside the produce.  Hence, that is why properly cooked food is safer than fresh produce. The bottom line is that you need to know you producer, no matter the size or geographic location.  If your local producer is dismissive of new ways to produce safe food, I would suggest looking for a new supplier rather than risk you and your family’s health.  Food borne pathogens are nasty and cause more than just an upset stomach to take such a risk.