European E. coli Crisis Raises Domestic Concerns
06-10-2011
By Mike Rozembajgier
While what is being called one of the world’s most deadly outbreaks of E. coli continues to ravage Europe, the authorities are still confused about the source of the deadly contamination. But the outbreak is causing regulators in the U.S. and overseas to keep an even closer eye on the produce industry. And it is critical that companies prepare for a recall in case their products are implicated. Any company found to be involved in such a massive outbreak is sure to face scrutiny of their recall management.
With an estimated 25 lives already lost and more than 2,600 people ill, including nearly 700 who may have developed a potentially deadly complication, this case again draws attention to risks inherent in the food industry. As authorities continue to work to identify and contain the source of the contamination, several food products have come under suspicion. Cucumbers, tomatoes, lettuce and sprouts have all been cited as possible origins of the outbreak.
With such widespread impact and no definitive answers, many food industry sectors find themselves at a loss about what to do next. Meanwhile, business is suffering. According to a recent New York Times article, the German Association for Fruit and Vegetable producers reports that its members are losing the equivalent of $7 million a day,
In today’s global marketplace, risks found foreign food supplies often have an impact on the domestic market. According to the World Health Organization, E. coli contamination cases have already spread from Germany to Austria, Denmark, France, Spain and several other European countries. While the outbreak has thus far been contained to Europe, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and American lawmakers are taking note and proposing action.
A recently published Associated Press article suggests that this latest outbreak again highlights gaps in the U.S. food safety system and raises concerns that similar outbreaks could easily occur here. According to the article, the FDA has already increased its testing of foods imported from affected countries as a precaution.
Democrats on the House Energy and Commerce Committee have asked for a hearing to discuss the lessons that can be learned from this outbreak, and what, if any, changes could be made to U.S. oversight systems. In a letter to committee colleagues, Rep. Henry Waxman (D-CA) said that “a better understanding of what sparked this major outbreak in the European Union will help us determine the prospect for an outbreak of this pathogen in the United States.”
The current situation in Europe illustrates the unexpected risks that are a constant threat to companies involved in the manufacturing and production of food products and the need for constant reevaluation of oversight systems in order to mitigate manageable risks as efficiently as possible.
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insightful, informative article, we are still waiting for the final,
final results, as to where the the strain originated, and the specific
products involved. as a vegetarian I am always aware of my vulnerability when dealing whith the to the corporate agi-business, supply chain. I try to eat locally and in season
but its hard.