Let the Truth Be Told: Salmonella bacteria – not unusual in raw poultry

One of the bullets in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention web post with the link provided below reads as follows:

“It is not unusual for raw poultry from any producer to have Salmonella bacteria. CDC and USDA-FSIS recommend institutions follow food safety tips to prevent Salmonella infection from raw poultry produced by any brand.”

Perhaps raw poultry producers should start adding a “May contain Salmonella” declaration on the labels. What do you think?

OR
May contain Antibiotic-Resistant E.coli

Jokes aside, no food manufacturer wants to add a “may contain hazards” declaration on its product labels. Such a proposition is ridiculous. Strangely, many people are not aware that some of their arguments about what is typically present in some types of food (bacteria in meat, bones in meat or fish, stones with grain, woody stems with vegetables, etc.) tend towards a resigned acceptance similar to a label declaration that states: “may contain hazards”.

As a consumer, I would rather have the manufacturer consistently apply adequate knowledge and appropriate methodologies to eliminate these hazards. I find it difficult to accept a seemingly callous attitude that tells me (the consumer) that these hazards are “natural” to the food, so deal with it. I expect every manufacturer of the products I buy to make a consistent effort with adequate validation checks that allow them to say: “The proof of our commitment is in our products”. I would also rather hear them say or declare on their labels: “The proof of safety and quality is in our products”.

I really do not need to see the efforts or the validation process. I simply need to see and experience the products. Good experience means my return for more; bad experience means my departure sometimes along with a possible legal demand for compensation.

Web Post: "Outbreak of Salmonella Heidelberg Infections . . ." - http://www.cdc.gov/salmonella/heidelberg-01-14/index.html

Posted By Felix Amiri

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Felix Amiri is the current Food Sector Chair of GCSE-Food & Health Protection