Suspensions and Plant Closures: Good but Not Good Enough

Growls like a tiger;

still appearing disoriented;

few bites to date 

http://gcse-food-health-protection.blogspot.ca/2013/07/fsma-harpc-ferocious-tiger-or.html

The Star Tribune posted this article by: Mary Clare Jalonick , Associated Press, March 11, 2014:“FDA halts production at Delaware cheese plant after products linked to listeria outbreak”. The link to the article is provided below.

As I have maintained, the suspension or punitive route should only be an interim measure because of the innumerable problems with that approach. Sunland Inc. was suspended and it filed for bankruptcy. Roos is now suspended. In both and all future cases, there are bound to be more casualties than the punished operation. Consumers certainly suffer the consequences of contaminated or failed products. They also suffer the loss of products that would otherwise be available. Alternate products are likely to be less affordable.

On the other hand, the ordinary employee laid off work due to these suspensions and possible permanent plant closures suffers as well. Fall-outs from these "shut it down" knee-jerk solutions are too often ignored. How widely, for what reasons, and for how long are regulators prepared to shut plants down? There must be better solutions. We must move beyond the reactive, sporadic and primitive punishment approach to more proactive, strategic, effective and sustainable solutions.

You may read the Star Tribune Article via this link:

 http://www.startribune.com/lifestyle/health/249627261.html

You may also add a comment if you wish.

Posted By Felix Amiri

____________________________________

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