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Another great example of the 'safety' of America's food supply!
Protection of Food Supply Faces Problems
For part of the CBS News series "Where America Stands," a recent poll found that just one in three Americans are very confident that the food they buy is safe although the vast majority are at least somewhat confident that their food is safe.
Every year there are 76 million cases of foodborne illness in the United States, resulting in 325,000 hospitalizations and 5,000 deaths.
I have to wonder if it is because the prep work in the house was not done or if the food was not cooked properly. For instance, how many households properly wash their vegetables before preparing the meal? How many people verify that their poultry is cooked to the proper temperature before serving? Knowing what you are eating and knowing the prep work involved with what you are getting ready to eat is key and I just don't think a lot of families go through this.
Every year there are 76 million cases of foodborne illness in the United States, resulting in 325,000 hospitalizations and 5,000 deaths.
I have to wonder if it is because the prep work in the house was not done or if the food was not cooked properly. For instance, how many households properly wash their vegetables before preparing the meal? How many people verify that their poultry is cooked to the proper temperature before serving? Knowing what you are eating and knowing the prep work involved with what you are getting ready to eat is key and I just don't think a lot of families go through this.
But are American cooks that much nastier than those in the countries like England with far,far fewer incidents? America's disgusting/putrid factory farms, and food processing plants are the #1 cause of our filthy, pathogen-ridden foods, but lack of enforced regulations and inspections are #2. European countries also do not allow all the hormones, antibiotics, and GMOS, that are in America's food.
But are American cooks that much nastier than those in the countries like England with far,far fewer incidents? America's disgusting/putrid factory farms, and food processing plants are the #1 cause of our filthy, pathogen-ridden foods, but lack of enforced regulations and inspections are #2. European countries also do not allow all the hormones, antibiotics, and GMOS, that are in America's food.
I don't disagree with what you are saying. A lot can and should be done to change the process concerning the food we are eating. Until that change comes though, we need to do what we can within our own homes to help protect us and that starts with cleanliness and proper food preparation. My thought is that statistics can always be twisted to push an agenda and I have to wonder how many of those food born illnesses, hospital visits, etc are because of the households (or restaurants) failure to prepare the food properly.
For instance, if I buy a chicken sandwich at a restaurant, but get food poison because the chicken wasn't prepared properly (cross contamination of the cook, undercooked chicken, etc), would my hospital visit fall into that 325,000? The FDA wouldn't have been able to do anything about this. The chicken, bread, vegetables, etc. all passed the proper inspections before arriving at the restaurant, but the restaurant failed to cook and/or prepare the product properly resulting in me getting sick and having to go to the hospital.
I don't disagree with what you are saying. A lot can and should be done to change the process concerning the food we are eating. Until that change comes though, we need to do what we can within our own homes to help protect us and that starts with cleanliness and proper food preparation. My thought is that statistics can always be twisted to push an agenda and I have to wonder how many of those food born illnesses, hospital visits, etc are because of the households (or restaurants) failure to prepare the food properly.
For instance, if I buy a chicken sandwich at a restaurant, but get food poison because the chicken wasn't prepared properly (cross contamination of the cook, undercooked chicken, etc), would my hospital visit fall into that 325,000? The FDA wouldn't have been able to do anything about this. The chicken, bread, vegetables, etc. all passed the proper inspections before arriving at the restaurant, but the restaurant failed to cook and/or prepare the product properly resulting in me getting sick and having to go to the hospital.
You have a legitimate point, except that I would be willing to wager that at no point, was any ingredient of that chicken sandwich even inspected!
I totally agree food safety in the US (and also in other countries, just look at the spoiled meat scandal in Europe) stinks and the FDA is worthless. Currently, quite a few stores are recalling frozen produce because of possible listeria contamination. Prior to the recall notifications, we ate half a package of frozen recalled vegetables and an entire package of recalled fruit, and I am not happy about it because listeria is nasty. But no illness so far, knock wood.
But are American cooks that much nastier than those in the countries like England with far,far fewer incidents?
Well, in fairness, if you're looking at total number of cases they have far, far fewer incidents because they have a much smaller population. You'd have to look at something like number of cases per 1,000.
This stuff freaks me out. I'm always so careful preparing food and watch what I buy. I feel like this is happening more and more, but I'm sure the media also just likes the frenzy
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