The Reality Of Food Safety Standards

The question has been raised about food safety standards and just how realistic they may be. American Vegetable Grower posed this question in a recent issue of our e-newsletter, "VegWire Online: Is the current food safety situation acceptable or have things gone too far?

Here are the responses:

Dealing With A Forced Reality

What do we think? We think it is all bunk, but our opinion is absolutely irrelevant. Our buyers demand that we wear hair nets and have no animals around.

One of the large farms we work with in Coachella recently had their California inspection for the Leafy Greens [Marketing Agreement]. We were dinged because there were dog tracks in the neighboring grape vineyard --not our field!

One of our staff was at a USDA/California food safety training certification program a couple of years back in El Centro, CA, and there was a huge argument that cartons, left palletized on a trailer in the field over night, should not be allowed to be used because of possible issues, like bird [droppings]. At the very least, these inspectors all agreed, the top couple of layers of boxes should be tossed out. Please! Our person left, shaking her head and deciding that we would not be a part of this farce.

And the great irony? All this to solve a problem caused by organic spinach, and the organic guys are exempt from all this bologna.

Yuma, AZ

More Regulations Aren’t The Answer

I feel that the time regarding "enough is enough" has arrived. It seems as more and more people become removed from food production, the easier they are scared about the safety of their food. I agree wholeheartedly that no one should challenge the importance of food safety, but I am becoming tired of the self appointed (anointed) food safety organizations that assure us that their scheme is the best.

My father grew up in the Depression and told his children how fortunate we are. We never complained about the food on our plate or distrusted anyone who provided it for us. I know that there have been and are unsanitary operations out there, but over reacting with more regulations is not the answer. Please do not ask me to provide the answer.

I am very concerned about the food safety hysteria. Our family is involved in the growing, packing, and shipping of fresh potatoes. We had contacted one of the food safety organizations to conduct a "training audit" but have resisted signing on. At this point we are not ready to write a procedure describing how we, ourselves, are to sweep a floor. This is just one of the quirks of their program.

I hope that I have not come on too strong. I am passionate about what we do and take great pride in providing a safe and nutritious product.

Hegins, PA

Pests And Profits

We all know that pests of all sizes can make the difference between profit and loss in our business, even for large growers. Many of the mammals, especially the night marauding types, are the most difficult to control.

I once watched a large raccoon climb over a tall electrified fence to help himself to my personal sweet corn. He screamed, but he got my corn. I stopped puddling my herbs in with a fish emulsion mixture as -- you guessed it -- the raccoons pulled out just about every transplant during the night.

Hasn't it been reported that deer can carry at least one strain of E. coli? Aside from fencing in the entire farm in deer fencing the best control I have found is a large dog on patrol at night.

I never had an animal pest problem when my German Sheppard was on patrol. I am not a dog expert, by any means, but know that they have an important role to play in partnership with growers.

Millville, MN