Jalapenos Join Tomatoes

Not only are jalapeños joining tomatoes as possible culprits in this salmonella outbreak, they are including serrano peppers too, just because people can’t tell the difference. Think about all of the produce that is just going to waste (which is even more awful in a meat recall, all of those animals!) and all of the lives that will be effected – not only the sick, but also the owners and employees that are financially effected too.

It’s horrible how many people have some sort of salmonella poisoning – over 1000 now in over 40 states. I keep thinking about articles out in May (specifically an article in the Chicago Tribune that I can’t find… it was brought to my attention by Sustainable Food News) saying it’s possible that imported food was being tested again and again until companies were given the OK to ship even though it did not pass a first or possibly second inspection. Even though the first few tests said the food was dangerous, the FDA wasn’t notified, and the food gets imported… and it’s potentially causing the problems that we are having. And from this article, it sounds like standard practice. They not only test over, but they will contact another company if they aren’t getting the results they are looking for.

The papers are full of articles trying to decipher what is happening. Will the FDA find where the outbreak is coming from? Will stronger standards be put into place? Will more backyard tomatoes be born?

The FDA reports progress in tracing salmonella (NYTimes, June 11, 2008) (but this wasn’t true…)

FDA unlikely to trace ’smoking gun’ in salmonella outbreak (Food Navigator, July 9, 2008)

1000 sickened by salmonella outbreak (Chicago Tribune, July 10, 2008)

Maybe we should just stay away from industrial food? I know this isn’t always possible, and it’s not currently accessible to everyone, but with so many people sick, it’s another reason to work together to make sustainable food available and the standard. BUY LOCAL!