Recalls are food for thought
Experts say U.S., local food supplies safest in world
Experts say U.S., local food supplies safest in world

In the wake of the United States' largest meat recall last month, a Pennsylvania family recently sat down to a dinner of frozen fish only to bite into their fillets and find pills. The pills turned out to be dietary supplement pills, prompting another food recall in 11 states, including Oklahoma — this time for Gorton's 6 Crispy Battered Fish Fillets.

When Peter Pan and Great Value peanut butters were recalled in February 2007, 288 cases of food-borne illness in 39 states had been reported, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Affected jars of the peanut butter were alleged to have been contaminated with salmonella.

The stream of food recalls brings up questions about the safety of the country's food supply. How can you be certain that the food you prepare for your family will not make them ill?

When your children sit down to dinner, how can you be sure they are not in potential danger of ingesting salmonella, E. coli or even unexpected dietary supplements?

Companies including Stillwater-based FoodProtech are working to keep the food supply safe and eliminate contamination that causes food-borne illnesses and product spoilage, such as bacterial contamination caused by raw hamburger served at fast-food restaurants. The company tests food samples, researches food companies' products and provides training and audits.

"Fluke things happen, like when you're working over a mixing bowl in your kitchen and something falls out of your pocket into the food,” said Siobhan Reilly, food microbiologist and president of FoodProtech. "But most companies have plans in place for prevention actions, such as required hairnets, no jewelry, no shirts with pockets and regular hand-washing.”

Many companies also have early detection processes, she said, such as metal detectors, should metal from food processing equipment fall into food. But there is no foolproof method to ensure that a fluke will not occur, especially when the source of contamination is deliberate human intervention during packaging.

For product recalls, the general course of action by the FDA is to investigate what went wrong and whether it was accidental or intentional, as is currently being done in the Gorton's fish recall. Brad A. Swezey, a spokesman for the U.S. Department of Agriculture, said he believes the recall is due to "suspected tampering.”

Many experts, including Jack Carson, a state Agriculture, Food and Forestry Department spokesman, insist the inspection process and operating rules for food processing plants are better in the U.S. than anywhere in the world.

"Our guys (inspectors) are in there every day they're open,” Carson said.

The agency does random checks on grocery and meat stores, including when customers complain because they think stores are selling meat adulterated by means such as adding water to meat so it will weigh more or adding dye so that it looks fresher. For example, he said, inspectors found a retailer that was adding pork to hamburger meat.

"No other country has a food inspection system like ours,” he said. "We have checks and balances and inspections, from the farm to the plate.”

But statements such as these don't change the mind of Bob Woldrop, president of the Oklahoma Food Cooperative.

"I think local foods are better and safer,” he said. "Local foods are processed in smaller facilities. When I buy beef through the Oklahoma Food Co-op, I buy it from a particular farmer, and it all comes from one animal.”

He said that when you buy meat from a big supermarket, it often comes from a plant that processes meat from up to 30 states, and the meat is often combined.

"When you're casting such a wide net, then it's more likely that you're going to come up with something that's sick,” he said. Through the Oklahoma Food Co-op, Oklahomans can buy foods including fresh, locally grown vegetables, meat from Oklahoma ranches and goods such as organic clothes, jellies and breads.

Samantha Snyder, horticulture educator at the Oklahoma County Extension Center, said she believes there's room for both local and big corporate food producers at the dinner table.

"Some people really prefer the organic, and some people say it is safer because they know where it's coming from and how it's been treated,” she said.

But as long as the guidelines for processes at large production facilities are followed and inspection procedures are followed, she said people should feel safe.

She urges people to plant their own vegetable gardens as a step in ensuring safety and freshness of their food. "There is something about getting that fresh local taste,” she said. "You know where it came from. ... You've seen the farmer, or you know that you're the person that grew it.”

Contributing: Business Writer Paula Burkes.

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