Confidence in the American food supply is waning with food recalls still fresh in the memory of many. From peanut butter to spinach, there is concern over fresh produce and processed foods. According to a recent Miller-McCune.com article, everyone is looking to make a change in food safety from IBM to Capitol Hill, but they say the best precaution may be to know your producer. To read the Miller-McCune.com article, click here.IBM has been working to develop systems to track the quality and safety of food through a new software that uses bar codes to monitor the condition of the food. In continuing its bid for "smart food," IBM announced the results of its survey of 1,000 consumers in the 10 largest U.S. cities about food safety. According to IBM, the study revealed that less than 20% of consumers trust food companies to develop and sell safe and healthy food products and that 60% of consumers are concerned about the safety of the food they purchase.
IBM's efforts come at the same time as Congress and the President are looking to address food safety in America. The President's Food Safety Working Group is committed to modernizing food safety by building collaborative partnerships with consumers, industry and regulatory partners. The House of Representatives passed the Food Safety and Enhancement Act earlier this month and it is now making its way through the Senate.
Until there is a solution to improve food safety, Jaydee Hanson, a food policy analyst with the nonprofit Center for Food Safety, says that buying local may be the way to go.
Have as much contact with the producers of your food as you can. It won't keep you from getting sick, but at least you'll know who made you sick. The more stops there are in the production chain, the more likelihood there is for something to go wrong. I know that the steak I buy from my local butcher has been in his place, the butcher shop or his stand at the farmers market, and my freezer.To read previous posts on the Food Safety and Enhancement Act click here and here.
Posted: 08/14/09
