FDA: Criminal case shows food safety is paramount
Colorado farmers Eric and Ryan Jensen appeared in shackles in a Denver federal court this week and pleaded not guilty to charges of introducing adulterated food into interstate commerce.
Criminal charges are rare in food-borne illnesses, but the FDA under President Barack Obama has been more aggressive in pursuing farmers and food processors for alleged lapses, said Michael Doyle, director of University of Georgia’s Center for Food Safety.
“I think the FDA is sending a strong message that the produce industry is going to have to raise the bar to ensure the safety of the, basically, ready-to-consume foods,” he said.
The Jensens’ trial is scheduled to start Dec. 1. The brothers could face up to six years in prison and $1.5 million in fines each if convicted.
Produce farmers don’t have a “true-kill” step to eliminate bacteria, the way dairies and other food producers do, Doyle said. Pasteurization and proper storage can assure the safety of milk, he said. “We cannot say that with bag salads because we don’t have that true-kill step that will kill harmful bacteria,” Doyle said.
Higher safety standards are possible for produce, he said, but it will take time and money to develop them, and produce is a low-profit business.
Source: observer-reporter.com
