Comments on: Food safety bill deserves support, even from small farmers http://www.foodpolitics.com/2009/11/food-safety-bill-deserves-support-even-from-small-farmers/ Thu, 18 Mar 2010 04:24:02 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 hourly 1 By: Health is Easy » Uncategorized » Top 10 Links of the Last Two Weeks: 11/20/09 – 12/3/09 http://www.foodpolitics.com/2009/11/food-safety-bill-deserves-support-even-from-small-farmers/comment-page-1/#comment-34338 Health is Easy » Uncategorized » Top 10 Links of the Last Two Weeks: 11/20/09 – 12/3/09 Sun, 20 Dec 2009 08:17:22 +0000 http://www.foodpolitics.com/?p=1725#comment-34338 [...] Food Politics: Food safety bill deserves support, even from small farmers In matters of food safety regulation, Marion Nestle seems to come down pretty heavily on the side [...] [...] Food Politics: Food safety bill deserves support, even from small farmers In matters of food safety regulation, Marion Nestle seems to come down pretty heavily on the side [...]

]]> By: Top 10 Links of the Last Two Weeks: 11/20/09 – 12/3/09 | Weight Loss Archive http://www.foodpolitics.com/2009/11/food-safety-bill-deserves-support-even-from-small-farmers/comment-page-1/#comment-33813 Top 10 Links of the Last Two Weeks: 11/20/09 – 12/3/09 | Weight Loss Archive Sun, 06 Dec 2009 03:44:21 +0000 http://www.foodpolitics.com/?p=1725#comment-33813 [...] Food Politics: Food safety bill deserves support, even from small farmers In matters of food safety regulation, Marion Nestle seems to come down pretty heavily on the side [...] [...] Food Politics: Food safety bill deserves support, even from small farmers In matters of food safety regulation, Marion Nestle seems to come down pretty heavily on the side [...]

]]> By: Top 10 Links of the Last Two Weeks: 11/20/09 – 12/3/09 | Health News http://www.foodpolitics.com/2009/11/food-safety-bill-deserves-support-even-from-small-farmers/comment-page-1/#comment-33796 Top 10 Links of the Last Two Weeks: 11/20/09 – 12/3/09 | Health News Sat, 05 Dec 2009 20:26:55 +0000 http://www.foodpolitics.com/?p=1725#comment-33796 [...] Food Politics: Food safety bill deserves support, even from small farmers In matters of food safety regulation, Marion Nestle seems to come down pretty heavily on the side [...] [...] Food Politics: Food safety bill deserves support, even from small farmers In matters of food safety regulation, Marion Nestle seems to come down pretty heavily on the side [...]

]]> By: Johannes G http://www.foodpolitics.com/2009/11/food-safety-bill-deserves-support-even-from-small-farmers/comment-page-1/#comment-33621 Johannes G Wed, 02 Dec 2009 00:41:06 +0000 http://www.foodpolitics.com/?p=1725#comment-33621 It's good to hear you address issues of scale, and I believe that it should be stated that the issue with scale largely deals with an issue of transparency. I know that basing regulations on "transparency" would be possible only in an imaginary world (Your food operation is 75% transparent and therefore you cannot...), but it is important to address it nonetheless. I've personally had the opportunity to work in the food sector, generally in the food preparation end of things, and while I've only worked in smaller establishments (feeding less than 200 guests) I've seen various levels of transparencies - everything from the food magically appearing through a door to a kitchen that is in full view of the guest. It's sobering to experience the differences between the two. So what I'm getting to is that while scale is not a perfect substitute for transparency, the difference between being locked out of a chicken plant because you're considered a "biohazard" and then working in a place where the final consumer can see exactly what you're doing is extreme, and should not be put under the same regulatory structure. (Sorry for the ramble) It’s good to hear you address issues of scale, and I believe that it should be stated that the issue with scale largely deals with an issue of transparency. I know that basing regulations on “transparency” would be possible only in an imaginary world (Your food operation is 75% transparent and therefore you cannot…), but it is important to address it nonetheless. I’ve personally had the opportunity to work in the food sector, generally in the food preparation end of things, and while I’ve only worked in smaller establishments (feeding less than 200 guests) I’ve seen various levels of transparencies – everything from the food magically appearing through a door to a kitchen that is in full view of the guest. It’s sobering to experience the differences between the two. So what I’m getting to is that while scale is not a perfect substitute for transparency, the difference between being locked out of a chicken plant because you’re considered a “biohazard” and then working in a place where the final consumer can see exactly what you’re doing is extreme, and should not be put under the same regulatory structure.
(Sorry for the ramble)

]]> By: Daniel K. Ithaca, NY http://www.foodpolitics.com/2009/11/food-safety-bill-deserves-support-even-from-small-farmers/comment-page-1/#comment-33590 Daniel K. Ithaca, NY Tue, 01 Dec 2009 04:16:41 +0000 http://www.foodpolitics.com/?p=1725#comment-33590 in regards to the posted link to the CNN video in my last comment: the nutritionist featured as one of the panelists seemed way too gung-ho in promoting cow milk, beef, and chicken eggs. As I see in the Huffington Post there seems to be connection: "Dr. Rodriguez has done all kinds of research that's been generously funded by such organizations as the National Dairy Council, the National Cattlemen's Beef Association, and the Egg Nutrition Center." in regards to the posted link to the CNN video in my last comment: the nutritionist featured as one of the panelists seemed way too gung-ho in promoting cow milk, beef, and chicken eggs.
As I see in the Huffington Post there seems to be connection: “Dr. Rodriguez has done all kinds of research that’s been generously funded by such organizations as the National Dairy Council, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, and the Egg Nutrition Center.”

]]> By: Daniel K. Ithaca, NY http://www.foodpolitics.com/2009/11/food-safety-bill-deserves-support-even-from-small-farmers/comment-page-1/#comment-33527 Daniel K. Ithaca, NY Sun, 29 Nov 2009 18:16:05 +0000 http://www.foodpolitics.com/?p=1725#comment-33527 Let your Senators know how you feel! Please include the four points that The Coalition would like the Senate to consider: support small farms, don't penalize them! >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Ask Your Senator to Support Real Change in the Food Safety Bill http://action.foodandwaterwatch.org/p/dia/action/public/?action_KEY=1762 >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> I agree that the "scale" problem listed above, small sustainable farms are a great thing and absolutely need support and appropriate consideration for their operation and potential risk to food safety, which is likely to be low. Factory farms--meat, dairy, egg--need very strict regulations for what they produce AND for a safe agricultural community, i.e. sewage sludge runoff contaminating a near-by spinach farm. e-coli doesn't come from spinach, it comes from animal intestines. This is a really important issue and tainted food has taken lives of way to many. this was recently a topic on CNN: Please watch this touching story: Larry King and panel talk about loved ones consuming and being injured by contaminated meat products. http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/health/2009/10/13/lkl.meat.safety.panel.long.cnn Let your Senators know how you feel! Please include the four points that The Coalition would like the Senate to consider: support small farms, don’t penalize them!

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Ask Your Senator to Support Real Change in the Food Safety Bill

http://action.foodandwaterwatch.org/p/dia/action/public/?action_KEY=1762
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
I agree that the “scale” problem listed above, small sustainable farms are a great thing and absolutely need support and appropriate consideration for their operation and potential risk to food safety, which is likely to be low. Factory farms–meat, dairy, egg–need very strict regulations for what they produce AND for a safe agricultural community, i.e. sewage sludge runoff contaminating a near-by spinach farm. e-coli doesn’t come from spinach, it comes from animal intestines.

This is a really important issue and tainted food has taken lives of way to many.

this was recently a topic on CNN:
Please watch this touching story: Larry King and panel talk about loved ones consuming and being injured by contaminated meat products.
http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/health/2009/10/13/lkl.meat.safety.panel.long.cnn

]]> By: Andrea Angera http://www.foodpolitics.com/2009/11/food-safety-bill-deserves-support-even-from-small-farmers/comment-page-1/#comment-33514 Andrea Angera Sun, 29 Nov 2009 14:17:55 +0000 http://www.foodpolitics.com/?p=1725#comment-33514 My concern is that any regulatory scheme does not prohibit many of the community based food production systems that are springing up, such as community based farms, gardens and a aquaculture projects that generate income by selling all or some of their food harvest. My experience with USDA inspection services has not been a good one when it comes to accommodating small producers or non-traditional business models. FDA has been much more accommodating. My fear is that in an effort to protect our food we will stifle the very sources of food production we should be encouraging: small, local and community supported. My concern is that any regulatory scheme does not prohibit many of the community based food production systems that are springing up, such as community based farms, gardens and a aquaculture projects that generate income by selling all or some of their food harvest. My experience with USDA inspection services has not been a good one when it comes to accommodating small producers or non-traditional business models. FDA has been much more accommodating. My fear is that in an effort to protect our food we will stifle the very sources of food production we should be encouraging: small, local and community supported.

]]> By: annie avery http://www.foodpolitics.com/2009/11/food-safety-bill-deserves-support-even-from-small-farmers/comment-page-1/#comment-33512 annie avery Sun, 29 Nov 2009 14:00:54 +0000 http://www.foodpolitics.com/?p=1725#comment-33512 sorry, but i am extremely reticent to see approval of any legislation that coming out of congress which allows the department of homeland security to participate in food issues.. . this last version stinks to high heaven. and you can be sure there will be no proper amount of time to allow for farmers and constituents of the committee members to speak their minds, voicing their own concerns. it's all about the control and nothing at all about the concerns of the small producer. they really don't care. sorry, but i am extremely reticent to see approval of any legislation that coming out of congress which allows the department of homeland security to participate in food issues.. . this last version stinks to high heaven. and you can be sure there will be no proper amount of time to allow for farmers and constituents of the committee members to speak their minds, voicing their own concerns. it’s all about the control and nothing at all about the concerns of the small producer. they really don’t care.

]]> By: Christie Keith http://www.foodpolitics.com/2009/11/food-safety-bill-deserves-support-even-from-small-farmers/comment-page-1/#comment-33499 Christie Keith Sun, 29 Nov 2009 04:10:18 +0000 http://www.foodpolitics.com/?p=1725#comment-33499 Of course, one assumes that, given mandatory recall authority, the FDA would ever actually USE it. I see no sign of that. :( Of course, one assumes that, given mandatory recall authority, the FDA would ever actually USE it. I see no sign of that. :(

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