Is China The Problem - Food Safety
12 10 2007The “Made in China” just won’t go away and food from China is no exception. Today I heard and I cannot substantiate that Trader Joe’s has made the decision not to use frozen vegetables from China. If it is true, is this decision based on consumer pressure or is this a corporate decision? Even if they eliminated frozen vegetables from China, does it increase food safety? No, it will not. Food safety is not just a China problem it’s a global problem. Just look at our previous post regarding FDA detentions, Mexico is number 1 in that category. Have we heard anything about food products from Mexico? Nada (nothing).
Just check the FDA recall list and see how many companies are from China (http://www.fda.gov/oc/po/firmrecalls/rssRecalls.xml).
Today in the NY Times there is an article about the Japan testing method compared to the FDA. They say it might be superior to our FDA’s methodologies. They test more samples (10% compared to 1%) but is that the answer? No, more testing doesn’t solve the problem, it’s a reactive measure. Okay the Japanese have a license program with China that limits the exporters, is that the answer? Maybe, but if you know your supplier is it necessary to get the license? What if the USA importer and/or customer is doing their due diligence, would this help? You bet. It all gets back to knowing your supplier. Basic fundamental stuff - knowing your supplier.
Some people might find it strange that just a few years ago, imported frozen vegetables that were rejected in the USA by the FDA for pesticides, we could re-export to Japan, who had no problems with the pesticide issue. Japan finally woke up to pesticides and created their own “Positive List” just over a year ago. Japans concern about food safety is due more to consumer awareness which is happening not only in Japan but globally as well.
Food safety is a global concern and just picking on one country will not solve the problem. We all have to work together to make food safer, supplier, importers, retailers and consumers. Awareness comes but just one step at a time. Just remember that cigarette smoking, environment issues, MADD (mothers against drunk driving) where non issue 20, 30 or 50 years ago.
With the current consumer awareness of food safety let’s work together and create a new culture, a food safe culture, a global food safe culture. A true win-win.
Technorati Tags: Noon International, China, Japan, food safety, recall, culture, Trader Joe’s
