Tuesday, November 17, 2009

Recall Roundup: November 17, 2009

Here is today's list of food safety recalls, product withdrawals and allergy alerts. The live links will take you directly to the official recall notices and company news releases that contain detailed information for each recall and alert.



United States
  • FDA Warning Letter: Seoul Shik Poom, Inc. (Englewood, NJ) found to have serious violations of the seafood Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) regulation, as a result of an inspection carried out 06/02/2009 through 06/19/2009


Canada
  • Consumer Product Recall: Monarch Distributing Limited (Waterloo, ON) recalls Natursutten Liquid-filled Teethers, manufactured in Germany, after Health Canada finds Bacillus sphaericus/fusiformis in the liquid filling.


Europe
  • Food Safety Recall (UK): The Co-operative Group recalls three Truly Irresistable Indian Cooking Sauces due to acidity not meeting required levels. The incorrect acidity levels may allow microbial growth to occur in the jars of sauce.
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2009.1587): Aflatoxins in mix curry powder from Pakistan; distributed in the United Kingdom
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2009.1586): Veterinary drug residues in whole chicken egg powder from the Netherlands; notified by Germany


Asia, Africa & The Pacific
  • Dietary Supplement Recall (Hong Kong): The Department of Health warns consumers to avoid using a slimming product labeled as Shou Shen Jiao Guan – Ti Nei Yun Dong Wan, because it was found to contain undeclared sibutramine and phenolphthalein.
  • Dietary Supplement Recall (Hong Kong): The Department of Health warns consumers to avoid using a slimming product called Pai You Guo, because it was found to contain undeclared sibutramine and phenolphthalein.


Some supermarket chains post recall notices on their web sites for the convenience of customers. To see whether a recalled food was carried by your favorite supermarket, follow the live link to the supermarket's recall web site.


*The Kroger umbrella encompasses numerous supermarket, marketplace and convenience store chains, listed on the Kroger corporate home page.


If you would like to receive automatic email alerts for all new articles posted on eFoodAlert, please submit your request using the link on our sidebar.

Posted by Phyllis E at Tuesday, November 17, 2009 0 comments
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Monday, November 16, 2009

FDA Blinks In Face-Off Over Gulf Coast Oysters

Did Politics Trump Public Health?

Mike Taylor gave a speech last month to a meeting of the Interstate Shellfish Sanitation Conference ("ISSC"). And when Mike Taylor talks, the food industry sits up and takes notice. This time, industry members didn't like what they heard.

Michael R. Taylor is Senior Advisor to FDA Commissioner Dr. Margaret Hamburg, and is the Commissioner's food safety "go-to" guy. On announcing his appointment, Dr. Hamburg expressed the belief that Taylor's "...expertise and leadership on food safety issues will help the agency to develop and implement the prevention based strategy we need to ensure the safety of the food we eat.”

Taylor used the occasion of the ISSC meeting to present a proposed change in FDA policy on the sale of raw oysters harvested from the Gulf Coast during the summer. FDA's new approach – to be implemented in time for the 2011 season – would ban the sale of those Gulf Coast oysters unless they were subjected to some form of post-harvest processing.


Why did FDA decide that this new policy was necessary? Because of a bacterium by the name of Vibrio vulnificus.

Vibrio vulnificus is a normal inhabitant of warm salt waters, such as those found along the Gulf Coast. First recognized as a pathogen in the 1970s, V. vulnificus can be found in raw oysters harvested from Gulf waters in the warm summer months. The microbe may produce nothing more serious than a typical case of gastroenteritis in otherwise healthy individuals. But in some cases, it infects the bloodstream – a situation that can often be fatal.

Raw oysters contaminated with V. vulnificus have caused several disease outbreaks. For example:
  • Between 1981 and 1992, the microbe was blamed for 14 cases of gastroenteritis and 72 cases of septicemia (generalized infection of the blood stream) in Florida among people who reported having eaten raw oysters. Thirty-five of the 72 septicemia victims died.
  • In 1996, three residents of Los Angeles developed septicemia and died after consuming raw oysters harvested from the Gulf Coast.
  • In 1989, V. vulnificus was responsible for 14 cases of septicemia and 4 cases of gastroenteritis in the four states that border the Gulf of Mexico. Nine people died.

In 2003, California took action. The state banned the sale of oysters harvested during the summer months (April 1 through October 31) from Gulf Coast waters, "...unless the oysters are treated with a scientifically validated process to reduce V. vulnificus to non-detectable levels." According to Mike Taylor, the California ban "...has largely eliminated Vibrio vulnificus-related deaths and illness from consuming raw oysters..." in that state.


Taylor added the following reasons for FDA's change of direction:

"We now believe that, under our HACCP rules, when raw oysters are harvested in waters and at times where V. vulnificus is reasonably likely to occur, the appropriate preventive measure is one of the available, validated post-harvest processing methods, or another control measure that can be validated to be equally effective. We base this belief on the availability of demonstrably effective post-harvest processing methods and the failure of other measures to achieve the purpose of the HACCP regulation."

"On this, however, we are clear," he went on to say, "We no longer believe that measures which reduce the hazard, but fall well short of eliminating it, such as improvements in refrigeration, are sufficient to meet the purpose of the regulation, given the severity of the hazard and the availability of post-harvest processing technologies."


FDA has been working with Gulf Coast states and ISSC for more than a decade on the V. vulnificus problem. ISSC adopted a seven-year plan in 2001 to reduce the incidence of infections caused by this bacterium by 60% through voluntary means. It was made clear back then that if voluntary actions failed, mandatory post-harvest processing of raw oysters would be imposed on the shellfish industry.

According to FDA, voluntary measures have failed. Nevertheless, Mike Taylor's October 17th announcement of FDA's new action plan resulted in a firestorm of opposition – both from industry and from the Gulf Coast states. Louisiana, especially, has led the opposition to FDA's proposal.

Last Friday, FDA backed down, saying that "...there is a need to further examine both the process and timing for large and small oyster harvesters to gain access to processing facilities or equivalent controls..." before mandating post-harvest processing of raw oysters.

Already, without post-harvest processing, summer-harvested Gulf Coast oysters cannot be sold in California. They cannot be exported to European Union countries. They cannot be sold to certain retail chains, such as Costco.

ISSC and the Gulf Coast states have known since 2001 that mandatory post-harvest processing might become a reality. Their apparent shock and dismay is hard to understand.

Even harder to understand is FDA's willingness to shelve its planned policy change. Either Vibrio vulnificus is a danger serious enough to require action, or it is not. If it's not a significant hazard to the population, FDA had no business mandating post-harvest processing in the first place. On the other hand, if Vibrio vulnificus is a severe hazard – as Mike Taylor described it – FDA had no business backing away from its decision.

If this is the kind of performance that we can expect from Dr. Hamburg and FDA, Congress may just as well shelve that food safety regulatory reform its been working on. Good intentions and fine words on paper mean nothing without the will to enforce them.

Posted by Phyllis E at Monday, November 16, 2009 0 comments
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Recall Roundup: November 16, 2009

Here is today's list of food safety recalls, product withdrawals and allergy alerts. The live links will take you directly to the official recall notices and company news releases that contain detailed information for each recall and alert.


Europe


Some supermarket chains post recall notices on their web sites for the convenience of customers. To see whether a recalled food was carried by your favorite supermarket, follow the live link to the supermarket's recall web site.


*The Kroger umbrella encompasses numerous supermarket, marketplace and convenience store chains, listed on the Kroger corporate home page.


If you would like to receive automatic email alerts for all new articles posted on eFoodAlert, please submit your request using the link on our sidebar.

Posted by Phyllis E at Monday, November 16, 2009 0 comments
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Sunday, November 15, 2009

Viral Vegetables

How Hepatitis A Virus Invades Our Produce

For a microbe that is unable to reproduce outside of its human or primate hosts, Hepatitis A Virus ("HAV") sure gets around. While hepatitis outbreaks usually are blamed on hygiene lapses by infected food handlers, HAV is very effective at hitching a ride on fresh produce.

Over the last 20 years, the virus has been responsible for outbreaks that were traced directly to HAV-contaminated lettuce, strawberries and green onions. This year, semi-dried tomatoes have been implicated as the source behind a surge in hepatitis infections in Australia. All of these incidents have one thing in common; they all involve imported produce – most likely grown in a country where HAV is endemic (widely distributed) in the population.




Sadly, produce-linked outbreaks of foodborne disease have become commonplace in the last 20 years. It's a rare year that doesn't yield a crop of lettuce, spinach or some other product that is contaminated with Salmonella or E. coli O157:H7. These pathogens often infect cattle, poultry and animals in the wild. It's unfortunate, though not surprising, that they find their way into our salad greens.


But HAV only infects humans and other primates. It cannot reproduce on its own. How, then, does it insinuate itself into our produce?

Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh have provided one possible answer to this puzzle. They grew green onions both in potting soil and hydroponically. The soil and water used in their study was seeded with HAV. When the scientists tested the mature plants, they were able to demonstrate the presence of HAV inside the tissue of both the soil-grown and the hydroponically grown onions. The developing onions had taken up HAV through their roots from the soil and the water .

HAV is a very rugged virus. It can survive in water for up to a year. It resists freezing. It can survive for days or even weeks in dried feces. People who are infected with HAV shed it in their feces for at least several days. In regions where sanitary facilities are limited or non-existent, the virus finds its way into lakes and rivers. Farmers use this water to irrigate their crops – introducing HAV into the fields at the same time.




Sometimes, HAV takes an even more direct route. It's still common, in many underdeveloped countries, for farmers to use human feces (known as "night soil") as fertilizer.


What about tomatoes? Does the same mechanism apply?

Based on the findings of researchers at the Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, who worked with Salmonella, tomatoes are a different story. Tomato plants are able to take Salmonella from contaminated soil or water into their roots, but the microbe does not travel into the fruit. Can HAV, because of its small size – 35 times smaller in diameter than Salmonella – go where Salmonella cannot? We don't know.

The semi-dried tomatoes that apparently are behind Australia's hepatitis outbreak may simply have been contaminated through spray-irrigation with HAV-laden water, or by being washed – after harvesting – with contaminated water before being put out to dry. Regardless of the mode of contamination, the virus is in or on the tomatoes, and must be dealt with.

The Chief Health Officer of Victoria (the Australian state that is at the epicenter of the current hepatitis outbreak) has issued a temporary order requiring, effective immediately, that all semi-dried tomatoes be pasteurized to kill any HAV that might be present. This is no more than a Band-Aid, which will expire in 90 days.

There is no easy way to prevent hepatitis outbreaks due to HAV-contaminated produce. Developed countries could close their borders to produce from underdeveloped regions, but this would hurt farmers who depend on export markets for their livelihood. Educating farmers in safe irrigation and fertilization techniques combined with a massive upgrading of sanitary facilities in underdeveloped regions is the only long-term answer.

Until lakes and rivers in underdeveloped parts of the world can be flushed clear of HAV and other intestinal pathogens, we can expect more produce-related outbreaks of foodborne disease.

Posted by Phyllis E at Sunday, November 15, 2009 2 comments
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Recall Roundup: November 15, 2009

Here is today's list of food safety recalls, product withdrawals and allergy alerts. The live links will take you directly to the official recall notices and company news releases that contain detailed information for each recall and alert.



Canada
  • Food Safety Recall: Classic Smokehouse (2003) Inc. (Vancouver, BC) recalls certain production lots of Classic Smokehouse brand Smoked Sockeye Cream Cheese Log and Maple Salmon Nuggets that may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. The recalled items were sold through retail stores (including, but not limited to, those listed in the recall notice) in Vancouver and Burnaby.


Some supermarket chains post recall notices on their web sites for the convenience of customers. To see whether a recalled food was carried by your favorite supermarket, follow the live link to the supermarket's recall web site.


*The Kroger umbrella encompasses numerous supermarket, marketplace and convenience store chains, listed on the Kroger corporate home page.


If you would like to receive automatic email alerts for all new articles posted on eFoodAlert, please submit your request using the link on our sidebar.

Posted by Phyllis E at Sunday, November 15, 2009 0 comments
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Saturday, November 14, 2009

E. coli O157:H7 - Everything New Is Old Again

November 14, 2009

Once upon a time – about 10 or 15 years ago – there was a US supermarket chain that stretched from the Atlantic to the Pacific. We'll call it "Oceans."

Oceans employed a Vice President of Quality Assurance – we'll call him Dr. Bob – who had worked for them for more than 25 years, and was nearing retirement. The Quality Assurance department consisted of Dr. Bob and one lab technician, Billy.

Dr. Bob worried about the microbiological safety of the beef trim that Oceans was purchasing from slaughterhouses to produce its fresh ground beef. He was especially concerned about E. coli O157:H7. But his budget was limited. He couldn't afford to use the elaborate conventional test methods that were available at the time.

When Dr. Bob learned about a newly approved, inexpensive method for counting total E. coli and E. coli O157:H7, he decided to act. He notified Oceans' beef trim suppliers that he would test every shipment of beef trim, and would reject any product that either contained E. coli O157:H7 or had too high a count of total E. coli.

The slaughterhouses rebelled, and threatened to stop supplying Oceans. If Dr. Bob found E. coli O157:H7 and rejected a shipment, his supplier would be obliged to report this to USDA. Finally, a compromise was reached. Dr. Bob would limit his testing to E. coli O157, and not run the H7 part of the procedure. The slaughterhouses would agree to accept a return of product based on E. coli O157. And since the H7 part of the test was never carried out, no supplier would have to report a positive E. coli O157:H7 test result to USDA.

This Gentleman's Agreement continued for a couple of years, until Dr. Bob retired. Billy, the lab technician, took over the Quality Assurance department responsibilities, but not the title. Soon afterwards, Oceans' corporate management yielded to the slaughterhouses and terminated their E. coli O157 testing program.

This is not a fable. It really happened. I know, because our company developed the rapid test method, and supplied the test components to Dr. Bob.


Sadly, the industry mindset that Dr. Bob had to deal with still exists today. Michael Moss reported in Friday's New York Times that slaughterhouses continue to resist supplying meat to grinders that want to test beef trim for E. coli O157:H7. Fairbank Farms – the source of the ground beef behind the latest outbreak – used to test beef trim, but stopped doing so when slaughterhouses refused to sell meat to the company.

This is no way to run a food safety system. While it's not possible for testing to guarantee product safety, closing our eyes to contamination will not make it go away.

It's time for USDA and the meat industry to put food safety first!

Posted by Phyllis E at Saturday, November 14, 2009 2 comments
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Recall Roundup: November 14, 2009

Here is today's list of food safety recalls, product withdrawals and allergy alerts. The live links will take you directly to the official recall notices and company news releases that contain detailed information for each recall and alert.



United States
  • Food Safety Alert: The California Department of Public Health warns consumers not to eat Santa Cruz County sport-harvested shellfish because the clams, mussels, scallops or oysters may be contaminated with domoic acid, a dangerous toxin that is harmful to people. The warning does not apply to commercially harvested shellfish.


Some supermarket chains post recall notices on their web sites for the convenience of customers. To see whether a recalled food was carried by your favorite supermarket, follow the live link to the supermarket's recall web site.


*The Kroger umbrella encompasses numerous supermarket, marketplace and convenience store chains, listed on the Kroger corporate home page.


If you would like to receive automatic email alerts for all new articles posted on eFoodAlert, please submit your request using the link on our sidebar.

Posted by Phyllis E at Saturday, November 14, 2009 0 comments
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Friday, November 13, 2009

Recall Roundup: November 13, 2009

Here is today's list of food safety recalls, product withdrawals and allergy alerts. The live links will take you directly to the official recall notices and company news releases that contain detailed information for each recall and alert.



United States
  • Allergy Alert: ConAgra Foods recalls a limited number of 15 oz. tubs of Blue Bonnet Spread. As a result of a packaging error, the product tubs contain undeclared whey (milk protein).
  • Food Safety Alert: The US Department of Justice, on behalf of FDA, seeks permanent injunction against seafood processor Haifa Smoked Fish Inc. of Jamaica, N.Y., and two of its top officers for violations of the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act.
  • Dietary Supplement Recall: IDS Sports announces nationwide recall of five of the company’s dietary supplement products sold under the names Bromodrol, Dual Action Grow Tabs, Grow Tabs, Mass Tabs, and Ripped Tabs TR, because the products contain the following undeclared substances, which FDA considers to be steroids: “Madol,” “Turinabol,” “Superdrol,” and/or “Androstenedione.”
  • Dietary Supplement Recall: GMP Herbal Products, Inc. announces nationwide recall of Pai You Guo, a weight loss dietary supplement, after FDA determines that the product contains undeclared sibutramine and phenolphthalein.


Europe
  • Food Safety Advisory (UK): Health Protection Agency investigates 7 confirmed and 6 possible cases of E. coli infection that may be linked to the consumption of cooked meats or sandwiches from Myers Bakery in Felling (Gateshead area).
  • Food Alert (Republic of Ireland): Coca Cola Hellenic Bottling Company announces that one batch of Dr. Pepper carbonated fruit flavour soft drink in 500 ml PET bottles contained an excessive amount of the food preservative, benzoic acid. The implicated batch is no longer available for sale.
  • Animal Feed Notification (EU #2009.1563): Salmonella in fish meal from Denmark; distributed in Czech Republic
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2009.1562): Mercury in fresh greater amberjack (Seriola dumerili) from Croatia; distributed in Italy (notified by Slovenia)
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2009.1561): Glass fragments in crisps from Austria; distributed in Denmark
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2009.1560): Salmonella in chicken doner kebab from Germany; distributed in Belgium, France, Germany, Netherlands and Spain
  • Food Safety Notification (EU #2009.1557): Escherichia coli in clams (Tapes decussatus) from Tunisia; distributed to Italy


Asia, Africa & The Pacific
  • Dietary Supplement Recall (Hong Kong): The Department of Health warns consumers that the slimming product Xi Zhi Su contains undeclared sibutramine and phenolphthalein and has been recalled.
  • Dietary Supplement Recall (Hong Kong): The Department of Health warns consumers that Neovidan contains undeclared prednisolone and mefenamic acid and has been recalled.
  • Food Safety Advisory (Viet Nam): The Department of Health advises that several Chinese-made jams and dried fruits contain high levels of lead.


Latin America
  • Food Safety Alert (Brazil): Health authorities in Brazil's Para state warn that contaminated acai berries may be behind an outbreak of Chaga's disease in the neighborhood of Belem.



Some supermarket chains post recall notices on their web sites for the convenience of customers. To see whether a recalled food was carried by your favorite supermarket, follow the live link to the supermarket's recall web site.


*The Kroger umbrella encompasses numerous supermarket, marketplace and convenience store chains, listed on the Kroger corporate home page.


If you would like to receive automatic email alerts for all new articles posted on eFoodAlert, please submit your request using the link on our sidebar.

Posted by Phyllis E at Friday, November 13, 2009 0 comments
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Victoria Tackles Hepatitis Outbreak

Chief Health Officer issues "Order" under Part VII of the Food Act of 1984

November 13, 2009

Australia has been experiencing an unusually high number of cases of Hepatitis A infections this year. Most of the victims have reported eating uncooked semi-dried tomatoes – usually in salads or sandwiches. Most of the victims live in the state of Victoria. A few cases also have been reported in New South Wales and West Australia.

Victoria issued its first hepatitis alert on April 8, 2009. A second alert – advising Victorians, for the first time, to avoid eating uncooked semi-dried tomatoes – was released to the media on October 9th.

Epidemiological investigation has been unable to pinpoint the source of the tomatoes that are at the bottom of the outbreak. Domestic producers are pointing to imported products. It is thought that loose, semi-dried tomatoes sold by large supermarket chains are safe, since the hepatitis outbreak has been limited mostly to Victoria.

One week ago, Dr John Carnie, Victoria's Chief Health Officer, issued an Order under the Food Act in an effort to abort the outbreak. The Order, which will expire in 90 days, places special requirements on both domestic and imported semi-dried tomatoes, including:
  • Raw tomatoes must be washed and sanitized in chlorinated water prior to drying;
  • Semi-dried tomatoes must be pasteurized under conditions that will destroy the Hepatitis virus;
  • Manufacturers, distributors, importers, suppliers and commercial recipients of semi-dried tomatoes must ensure full traceability of the tomatoes; and
  • Businesses that receive semi-dried tomatoes must take all reasonable measures to satisfy themselves that the tomatoes have been processed and pasteurized in accordance with the requirements of the Order

A food-borne hepatitis outbreak – especially one that is not associated with a specific restaurant – is an epidemiologist's nightmare. The virus has a long incubation period of anywhere from less than 2 weeks to nearly 2 months. The symptoms of an infection with Hepatitis A may be non-existent (an asymptomatic infection), may resemble a mild gastroenteritis, or can produce more severe illness, resulting in hospitalization. Symptoms can last for several weeks.

Individuals who become infected with Hepatitis A virus begin to shed the virus in their stools midway through the incubation period, and well before symptoms of the illness show themselves. Many children never develop any symptoms of their infection at all, yet shed the virus anyway.

Hepatitis outbreaks can be expensive. A recent study estimated the cost per case at US$3,824 to US$200,480 – depending on the severity of the disease, size of the outbreak, economic impact on the source of the outbreak (e.g., a restaurant), complexity of the epidemiological investigation, and so forth.

The government's hope is that last Friday's Order will put an eventual end to the outbreak. But the impact of Victoria's action is likely to be gradual; there has been no recall – nor is there likely to be one, unless further investigation pinpoints the source of the Hepatitis virus. Victorians will have to wait until the remainder of the Hepatitis-contaminated semi-dried tomatoes work their way through the food supply system.

Meanwhile, Australian consumers – especially those in Victoria, New South Wales and West Australia – should not eat any uncooked semi-dried tomatoes.


Posted by Phyllis E at Friday, November 13, 2009 0 comments
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Thursday, November 12, 2009

Recall Roundup: November 12, 2009

Here is today's list of food safety recalls, product withdrawals and allergy alerts. The live links will take you directly to the official recall notices and company news releases that contain detailed information for each recall and alert.


Canada
  • Food Safety Recall: Épices Pam (10841 rue Plaza, Montréal-Nord, QC) recalls all Épices Pam food items sold in variable sizes in refrigerated display cases, because the products may be contaminated with Clostridium botulinum. The public is strongly advised against consuming the recalled food.

Europe


Some supermarket chains post recall notices on their web sites for the convenience of customers. To see whether a recalled food was carried by your favorite supermarket, follow the live link to the supermarket's recall web site.


*The Kroger umbrella encompasses numerous supermarket, marketplace and convenience store chains, listed on the Kroger corporate home page.


If you would like to receive automatic email alerts for all new articles posted on eFoodAlert, please submit your request using the link on our sidebar.

Posted by Phyllis E at Thursday, November 12, 2009 0 comments
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Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Recall Roundup: November 11, 2009

Here is today's list of food safety recalls, product withdrawals and allergy alerts. The live links will take you directly to the official recall notices and company news releases that contain detailed information for each recall and alert.



United States
  • Dog Treat Safety Recall: PetSmart expands recall of Pet Carousel, Inc. to include 14 products.


Europe
  • Allergy Alert (UK): Wm Morrison Supermarkets Plc recalls its Morrisons Green Thai Style Stir Fry Sauce because it contains fish that is not declared on the label


Some supermarket chains post recall notices on their web sites for the convenience of customers. To see whether a recalled food was carried by your favorite supermarket, follow the live link to the supermarket's recall web site.


*The Kroger umbrella encompasses numerous supermarket, marketplace and convenience store chains, listed on the Kroger corporate home page.


If you would like to receive automatic email alerts for all new articles posted on eFoodAlert, please submit your request using the link on our sidebar.

Posted by Phyllis E at Wednesday, November 11, 2009 0 comments
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Guest Blog: The Raw Milk Debate

The following Guest Blog first appeared on the ePerspective, a feature of the IFT newsletter, the weekly, and is reproduced here with the kind permission of its author, Dr. Catherine Donnelly.


The Raw Milk Debate: Economic Opportunity or Legal Liability?

Despite claims of health benefits associated with raw milk consumption, raw milk is a well documented source of bacterial pathogens which can cause human illness, and in some instances, death. Consumers who choose to purchase and consume raw milk should understand that raw milk may contain dangerous bacterial pathogens. Consumers should also understand whether they are in a risk group, which increases their chances of adverse health impacts from exposure to bacterial pathogens.

The dangers posed to public health by bacterial pathogens associated with raw milk consumption are numerous. Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella Typhimurium, Escherichia coli O157:H7, and Campylobacter are just four of the pathogens of concern in raw milk. The bacterial pathogens posing a risk to consumer health have become more dangerous in the past two decades. During this same period, the percentage of our population at risk for foodborne illness has increased significantly. It is critically important to understand risks posed by raw milk consumption, why the pathogens have become so dangerous, who is at greatest risk for severe illness and death, and why we need public health policies that limit exposure and warn susceptible consumers about dangers posed by raw milk consumption.

Of all of the food commodity sectors in the U.S., no sector is more committed to public health than the dairy industry. The reason for the absolute commitment to public health stems from early in the 1900s when raw milk was a major source of human disease, including tuberculosis and scarlet fever. Numerous deaths were linked to raw milk consumption. The public health response to this crisis was the crafting in 1924 of the Pasteurized Milk Ordinance (PMO), a comprehensive document which governs all aspects of production, processing, and marketing of milk and dairy products. Pasteurized milk is not a safe product simply due to the heat treatment which milk receives; milk safety is achieved because the PMO outlines a comprehensive system to assure milk safety.

The PMO is constantly updated, guided by scientific experts, farmers, and dairy industry personnel working through the National Conference on Interstate Milk Shipments (NCIMS) which works to “assure the safest possible milk supply for all the people” through enforcement of Grade A milk sanitation laws. The PMO has made pasteurized milk one of the safest food products available to consumers, and this ordinance has had a profound positive impact on public health. The PMO is the accepted operating guideline for the handling and production of milk and dairy products in most states. Adherence to the PMO importantly protects the U.S. milk market by enhancing consumer confidence in dairy product safety and reducing liability costs of this economically significant sector of the U.S. agricultural economy.

Many states have recently passed legislation to expand the sale of unpasteurized milk, allowing farmers to sell larger quantities of unpasteurized milk and thereby enhance economic opportunities in these times of severe economic challenges for so many dairy farmers. However, should economic opportunity be met at the expense of public health? Does pursuit of economic opportunity for some create the right to jeopardize the image of an entire industry that has built its reputation on the safety and wholesomeness of its products? Has this legislation created two standards for milk production in the U.S. and if so, what does this pose for the future of the U.S. dairy industry? There are important liability issues faced by individuals producing products causing harm to consumers, so the key question remains: Has raw milk legislation created economic opportunity or legal liability for farmers engaged in the sale of unpasteurized milk?

About Cathy Donnelly: Dr. Catherine Donnelly is Professor, Dept. of Nutrition and Food Science, University of Vermont and Co-director, Vermont Institute for Artisan Cheese.

Posted by Phyllis E at Wednesday, November 11, 2009 4 comments
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