Who`s Inspecting The Fresh Produce?
| Posted : Thu, 26 Jun 2008 04:15:38 GMT |
| Author : Michael R. Machi |
Last week I reported my best guess was
Federal officials are now saying they may never know the source of the latest salmonella tainted tomatoes. So many things come to mind as I scan through the latest news or should I say lack of news.
Why is the FDA testing tomatoes out of
Is something very wrong here?
Besides every retailer and wholesale grocer recalling tomatoes to obviously avoid consumer backlash, just what is the outlined process for protecting the consumer?
I don't see anything that resembles a solution in place today. Currently, its an after the fact mess for the FDA to clean up every time an outbreak occurs, but that’s the "system" currently in place.
Eating a raw vegetable or piece of fruit is becoming a game of Russian roulette these days.
Salmonella bacteria live in the intestinal tracts of humans and other animals. The bacteria are transmitted to humans eating foods contaminated with animal feces.
Salmonella bacteria in tomato's have sickened 79,000 consumers since 1990. You would think something would be done to address vulnerability gaps in the current system and if that’s not possible then the best solution is to inspect ALL fresh produce "lots" for pathogens at the receivers warehouse before distribution to the consumer.
Take a look at the current USDA Quality Standards for fresh Tomatoes. Fresh, effective October 1, 1991…Please note these are only grading standards and the old effective dates.
Since we know 79,000 were sickened since 1990 eating raw tomatoes infected with salmonella, then why has the inspection process not changed to protect the food supply?
All fresh produce packed in the field must have a lot number, so it can be traced back to the field. Currently the USDA inspects produce for grading defects (some of which are insect infestation! Yes...it happens and often the product is sold to the consumer).......... If a receiver agrees to buy a load of produce for a firm price per carton and for some reason the product arrives in fair or poor condition, (or the receiver just feels like it) the receiver calls the local USDA office and orders an inspection. The USDA inspector pulls cartons from the load, inspects them for defects and documents individual lot numbers from the cartons. If the inspection indicates an excess of defects as per the USDA established tolerances, then it’s out of grade and the receiver faxes the inspection to the grower. The grower then has the choice to pull the load or have the receiver sell it for 15% commission (in most cases) then return the remaining proceeds to the grower.
Who pays for the inspection?
The receiver does and I have seen often enough where buyers/receivers inspect every load because it’s their objective to void the contracted price. When voided, they sell the load for any price per carton opposed to over the contracted price plus other costs. It limits their cost risk but also alienates the grower to some extent...while the receiver no longer has hard money involved, it’s free!
But it’s a very irresponsible way to do business. When I worked in the industry I properly projected my sales, equated waste and bought the best product I could find when available.
My point is the USDA is already inspecting produce for defects but its time the inspection process be updated. Someone has to pay for the inspections but the industry has to first stop dragging their feet and start inspecting fresh produce for pathogens. Just think of the current system in place and the fresh produce imported into the
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