Food Safety Issues
Alicia
Mundy reported yesterday at The Wall Street Journal Online that, “The criminal division of the Food and Drug
Administration and the Justice Department have joined the probe of the Iowa
farm at the heart of the recent egg recall linked to an outbreak of salmonella,
according to FDA Commissioner Margaret Hamburg.
“‘There is a formal
investigation going on that extends beyond the FDA inspections that are focused
on farm practice,’ Dr. Hamburg
told reporters Wednesday. ‘It is the case that an investigation is under
way. We are pursuing it with our
partners in law enforcement.’”
The Journal article added
that, “FDA spokeswoman Pat El-Hinnawy said Wednesday
that federal agents visited both Wright County Egg and Hillandale
Farms, the second producer involved in the recall, on Tuesday.”
“Wright spokeswoman Hinda Mitchell said FDA officials were at Wright on
Tuesday, and she said she
believed FBI agents were also present. A Justice Department
spokeswoman declined to comment.”
And Philip
Brasher reported yesterday at the Green Fields Blog (Des Moines
Register) that, “FDA inspectors are
investigating the Minnesota rendering operation that supplies an ingredient
used in hen feed at the Iowa egg farms linked to the national salmonella
outbreak.
“Central Bi-Products, part
of Farmers Union Industries, produced meat and bone meal that tested positive
for salmonella at a feed mill operated by Quality Egg LLC in Galt, Ia.”
Mr. Brasher noted that,
“Don Davis, the president and CEO of Farmers Union Industries, said today that
FDA inspectors visited his offices in Redwood Falls on Tuesday and are now
looking over the rendering plant in Long Prairie that produced the bone meal.
‘They ask a lot of questions, take a lot of notes,’ he said.
“He said he’s confident
the bone meal was free of salmonella bacteria or other pathogens when it left
his company.”
Meanwhile, Alicia Mundy
and Bill Tomson reported in today’s Wall Street
Journal (“Eggs’
‘Grade A’ Stamp Isn’t What It Seems”) that, “The mark on the carton [the
‘USDA Grade A’ shield] just means that the U.S. Department of Agriculture
had a ‘grader’ at an egg-packing
facility who checked the eggs’ size and color and made sure the shells weren’t
cracked, a USDA official said. Consumers ‘misunderstand’ the shield,
he said.
“Ever since the recent
nationwide salmonella outbreak sickened more than 1,000 people and led to the
recall of more than a half-billion eggs, USDA officials have stressed that ensuring egg safety isn’t their job.
That task, they say, belongs to the Food and Drug Administration, which said
Wednesday it is getting help from its criminal division and the Justice
Department in looking at the farms at the center of the recall.
“So what’s the point of stamping egg cartons as
Grade A? The USDA has two different missions. It does regulate some food
safety, especially with meat, but it’s also responsible for promoting American
food here and abroad. The egg shield comes from the USDA’s marketing side.”
The Journal article stated
that, “Democratic Rep. Rosa
DeLauro of Connecticut
is one lawmaker who has long maintained that the government should have a
single agency devoted to food safety. But that idea has roused opposition from
some in the industry who fear creating a new agency would add more bureaucracy.
“‘The USDA stamp should have a clear and consistent
message to consumers—not a stamp of quality assurance that may be
misinterpreted as a stamp of safety,’ said Ms. DeLauro.”
In related
developments, Meredith Shiner reported
yesterday at Politico that, “Victims
of foodborne illness and their family members are set
to descend on the Capitol next week to lobby Senate offices to pass a stalled
food safety bill.
“Food safety activists —
energized by a massive salmonella outbreak and the recall of more than a
half-billion eggs — have launched a
media blitz, circulating a video of Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) promising a 12-year-old girl in October 2009 that the
Senate would ‘do everything we can to get this legislation,’ which is designed
to improve food safety, ‘done.’ The bill was approved by the House in July
2009.”
“But fulfilling that promise, given the Senate’s
tight schedule when it returns from recess Sept. 13, remains difficult.
Though the egg recall has exposed the flaws in a nearly century-old food
regulatory system, logistical
realities on the Hill make it highly improbable that the president will receive
a bill to sign in the near future,” yesterday’s Politico
article said.
The recent egg safety
issue has been an impetus for some observers to extend the public discussion on
food safety concerns to include a critique of general agricultural production
practices.
For example, Nicholas
D. Kristof opined in today’s New York Times that,
“Inspections of Iowa poultry farms linked to the salmonella outbreak have
prompted headlines about infestations with maggots and rodents. But the larger truth is: industrial agriculture is
itself unhealthy.
“Repeated studies have
found that cramming hens into small cages results in more eggs with salmonella
than in cage-free operations. As a trade journal, World
Poultry, acknowledged
in May: ‘salmonella thrives in cage housing.’
“Industrial operations —
essentially factories of meat and eggs — excel at manufacturing cheap food for
the supermarket. But there is
evidence that this model is economically viable only because it passes on
health costs to the public — in the form of occasional
salmonella, antibiotic-resistant diseases, polluted waters, food poisoning and
possibly certain cancers. That’s why the
president’s cancer panel this year recommended that consumers turn to
organic food if possible — a
stunning condemnation of our food system.”
Recall, however,
that Rod
Smith reported earlier this week at Feedstuffs Online that, “As the egg recall related to
salmonella-contaminated eggs from two farms spread over the Aug. 21-22 weekend,
so did allegations that eggs from big, cage-housing operations are prone to the
bacteria.
“Nothing is further from the truth, according to
Feedstuffs sources. Salmonella can contaminate any animal- or
plant-based food from any kind or size of farm operation, and the last major
incident in which eggs and salmonella were linked was two years ago in eggs
from a cage-free, organic production system, sources noted.”
Mr. Smith indicated that,
“However, scientists and veterinarians, in a paper released to Feedstuffs,
said there are advantages and
disadvantages to all hen housing types and suggested several benefits to modern
cage housing.”
***
In a more general analysis
of issues associated with small-scale local food production, that touched on
food safety concerns, Monica Eng reported today at the Chicago Tribune Online
(“Food
fights: Locavores, conventional food fans battle over
benefits”) that, “Thomas Stern is an unabashed locavore,
buying everything from beets and basil to lamb and legumes from nearby producers.”
“That philosophy — to try to source food from a
within a 100- to 300-mile radius — is fueling ‘eat local’ initiatives across
the country. These include Green City Market’s annual ‘Locavore Challenge,’ where hundreds of Chicago-area
residents are expected to follow a mostly local diet from Wednesday to Sept.
22.
“While such efforts might seem innocuous, a growing
chorus of writers, politicians and bloggers is challenging the locavore movement, painting it as naive and elitist at best
and dangerous to the livelihood of conventional commodity farmers at worst.”
The Tribune article
indicated that, “In a hotly debated New
York Times op-ed column last month, historian Stephen Budiansky
attacked ‘locavore math,’ questioning the movement’s
assumptions about the energy used to grow and transport produce.
“And economist Hiroko
Shimizu and University of Toronto geographer Pierre Desrochers
are finishing a 2011 book, tentatively called ‘In Praise of the 10,000 Mile
Diet,’ that argues locavorism is a misleading marketing fad that, among other
problems, ignores the threat it poses to the current affordability of food and
to the economic health of developing countries.”
Today’s article stated
that, “Locavores respond to the claims of elitism by citing the
thousands of people across the country who use food stamps at farmers markets —
the Daley Plaza market recently took in $890 of food stamps in a day.”
“Other local food fans point to huge food recalls —
most recently a half a billion eggs from Iowa factory farms — as a reason to
choose small-scale, locally produced food,” the Tribune article
said.
***
And in other news
regarding agricultural production methods and health, an update
posted earlier this week at the Competitive Enterprise Institute
Online stated that, “The Competitive
Enterprise Institute submitted comments today on an FDA proposal to limit the
use of certain antibiotics in livestock, warning that a ban could
unintentionally increase the threat of foodborne
illness in the United States. [Note: For additional background on the FDA proposal,
click here and here].
“The FDA
draft guidance would prohibit the use of ‘medically important’
antibiotics for growth promotion in food-producing animals such as cows, pigs,
and chickens, and would require veterinary oversight for remaining uses. In
its comments, CEI warned
that ‘uses of these drugs for growth promotion reduces pathogen loads in
animal-derived foods and have a positive impact on human safety, so such
restrictions could do more harm than good.’
“Antibiotics use in
livestock has been criticized by the public health community due to concerns
that it contributes to the development of antibiotic resistant bacteria.
However, U.S.
government studies indicate that livestock uses account for only about 10
percent of the problem with resistant bacteria and that misuse in human patients is the leading cause
of antibiotic resistance.”
Biotech Issue- Sugar
Beets
DTN Ag Policy Editor Chris
Clayton reported yesterday (link
requires subscription) that, “Responding to a federal court decision last
month rejecting the deregulation of Roundup Ready sugar beets, USDA announced some steps to comply with the court, including continued
work on an environmental impact statement for the genetically engineered crop.
“USDA said it intends to
‘expedite’ that EIS, but that it could take at least two years to do so.
“A federal judge ruled in
mid-August that USDA had improperly deregulated Roundup Ready sugar beets by
not properly conducting an environmental impact statement before approving the
crop, a violation of the National Environmental Policy Act. Nonetheless, while
a lawsuit brought by environmentalists went through the court system, USDA
allowed continued expansion of Roundup Ready sugar beet planting, which this
year accounted for 95 percent of the 1.185 million acres of sugar beets planted
nationally.”
Mr. Clayton added that, “A second step announced Wednesday is
that APHIS [USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service] is evaluating a
request to partially deregulate Roundup Ready sugar beets. The agency is
working on an environmental analysis of allowing ‘future seed and root crop
plantings under a combination of permits, administrative orders, or other
regulatory measures,’ USDA stated.
“The department added that regulatory measures taken
would include mitigating restrictions consistent with those proposed by the
federal court as interim measures while APHIS completes the environmental
impact statement.”
In a statement
released yesterday, Rep. Earl
Pomeroy (D-ND) indicated that, “‘In a conversation yesterday with the U.S.
Department of Agriculture Secretary Vilsack, I made it clear that this court
ruling could have a major impact on the livelihood of sugar beet producers in
the Red River Valley,’ said Congressman Pomeroy. ‘The Secretary understands what this means for our
producers, and I applaud him for taking action to implement temporary measures
to help producers while they continue work on the full Environmental Impact
Statement for Roundup Ready Sugar Beets.’”
Biofuels
Bloomberg writer Mario
Parker reported yesterday that, “For the first time since December, ethanol prices are higher than
gasoline as corn surges and refiners profit from tax breaks.
“The alternative fuel
jumped 22 percent since the U.S.
driving season began in May, rising above gas, which has fallen 6.5 percent in
the same period. Ethanol as a gasoline component rose 6.1 percent since early
June to 799,000 barrels a day in the week ended Aug. 27, Energy Department data
show. It touched a record 810,000 barrels in the week ended Aug. 20.”
The article noted that, “Ethanol may continue to rally as
corn, a main feedstock for the fuel, rose to a 14-month high of $4.4675 a
bushel today on speculation U.S. grain demand will increase after Russia halted
exports amid its worst drought in half a century.”
Yesterday’s update pointed
out that, “Demand may also be stifled
should the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency ban blends of as much as 15
percent of ethanol in gasoline should it determine that
higher concentrations could damage engines in vehicles, lawnmowers or boats.
The EPA said June 17 it may decide whether to permit so-called E-15 in vehicles
made after 2007 this fall.
“The U.S.
House Ways and Means Committee is considering cutting the ethanol tax incentive
by 20 percent while preserving a tariff that limits foreign imports.
Shipments from Brazil,
where ethanol is made from sugar cane, are subject to a 54-cent penalty under
current rules.”
Ag Economy
Tom
Polansek and Caroline Henshaw reported
in today’s Wall Street Journal that, “Wheat
prices are heating up again as the U.S. gains favor among the world’s
biggest consumers of the grain [related
graph].
“The U.S. recently has gotten the upper hand against
France. Sellers in the two nations have been locked in a battle
for the markets ceded by drought-stricken Russia.
“Wheat prices have
skyrocketed this summer as record heat and wildfires have forced Russia to cede
its slice of internationally traded grain markets. That has allowed the U.S. and other
nations with relatively robust harvests to step in.”
The article stated that,
“The U.S. scored a victory Wednesday as Egypt,
the world’s top wheat importer, struck deals to buy a hefty 225,000 metric tons
from U.S.
sellers at prices about 5% higher than a month ago.
“Egypt said it wasn’t interested in French wheat this
time around after looking to France
in its two previous tenders. France mainly grows ‘soft’ wheat,
which is used for pastries but not suited for breads.”
And the Journal writers
added that, “A German miller gave the
U.S. another boost by buying U.S. hard wheat—a high-quality variety—for the
first time in three years as persistent
rains batter Germany’s crop at harvest time. German buyers had been
snapping up French wheat but were forced to look to the U.S. after
French prices hit three-week highs, traders said.
“Countries around the
world are scrambling to secure wheat after a severe drought slashed output
in Russia,
traditionally a major producer, and pushed the government to ban grain exports
for the rest of the year. Dryness
in Australia and Argentina, also key producers, and the
precipitation in Germany
has exacerbated importers’ fears about tightening
global supplies.”
Political Notes
Neil
King Jr. reported in today’s Wall Street Journal that, “The Cook Political Report, a newsletter that tracks
congressional races, now lists 68 Democratic House seats as being at
‘substantial risk,’ up from 62 in July and 58 in June, and the group plans to
raise the figure to more than 70 this week. Other pollsters and
analysts have also increased their list of Democrats they now consider
imperiled. By comparison, less
than 10 Republican-held seats are thought to be in jeopardy.”
Meanwhile, Derek Wallbank reported yesterday at MinnPost.com (“Collin
Peterson’s inconvenient truth-telling — and savvy political moves”) that,
“Several Democrats in districts just like his [House Ag Comm. Chairman Collin Peterson (D-Minn.)] are vulnerable this year. Next door in both the Dakotas
sit Reps. Earl Pomeroy (North) and Stephanie Herseth
Sandlin (South), who both trail in the polls against GOP challengers.
“So far, however, GOP challenger Lee Byberg hasn’t gained much traction against Peterson.
The most recent campaign finance reports filed (through July 21) showed Byberg trailing Peterson in cash on hand by a margin of
29:1. Every national ratings
group rates the 7th as a safe Democratic seat.”
And the
AP reported today that, “Former
President Bill Clinton is coming to the aid of endangered Democratic Sen.
Blanche Lincoln.
“Clinton, who served as Arkansas governor, will headline an event celebrating Lincoln’s one-year anniversary as chairwoman
of the Senate Agriculture Committee. Lincoln’s
campaign announced Wednesday that Clinton will
join her in Little Rock
on Sept. 8.”
“Clinton
returned to his home state earlier this year to campaign for Lincoln as she waged a difficult primary
battle against Lt. Gov. Bill Halter. The former president also was featured in
campaign ads for Lincoln
during the primary.”
--
Keith Good
President
FarmPolicy.com, Inc.
Champaign, IL
(t) 217.356.2269
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