New York Times Incorrectly Pegs
Hunts Point On Illegal Gambling Venue
One of the issues that arose during the recent Salmonella Saintpaul outbreak was the distressing tendency for the media to simply report as fact whatever the government had to say. Indeed, as we mentioned here, the reporting on the outbreak improved as the outbreak dragged on primarily because reporters became more skeptical about government pronouncements. […]
Though Traceability Initiative
Is A Big Win, Weak Links Still Exist
For a long time we have focused much attention on traceability. Recently, of course, traceability was the buzzword that the government and non-governmental organizations focused on as a weak link in the food safety system during the Salmonella Saintpaul outbreak. The focus on traceability as our Achilles heal of the industry was not really accurate. […]
Perishable Thoughts
In the midst of the Salmonella Saintpaul outbreak, we received a contribution to our Perishable Thoughts section quoting an important governmental official: The note came from a distinguished academic: Donald W. Schaffner, Ph.D.Director, Center for Advanced Food TechnologyExtension Specialist in Food Science Department of Food Science School of Environmental and Biological Sciences New Jersey Agricultural […]
Pundit’s Mailbag — Be Careful
Where You Grow
Now that the Salmonella Saintpaul outbreak has officially been declared to be over, the world is left to deal with many questions in its aftermath. Some questions involve the food safety system broadly considered, but others are more prudential-related. This letter expresses a concern many in the industry have shared with us: We have been […]
PMA 2nd Annual Impact Award
Honors Excellence In Packaging
It’s time for entries to be sent in for the second annual PMA Impact Award presented for Excellence in Produce Packaging. Since the Pundit was honored to be named to the panel of judges, we have a special interest in encouraging everyone to get their entries in on time. With packaging at the crossroads of […]
FDA’s Irradiation Ruling
Puts FDA On The Spot
At Wegmans, consumers can buy irradiated hamburger meat. As we discussed both here and here, we think that is great. But we are also mindful that only a minority of customers elect to do so. Why is this? Wegmans’ Senior Vice President of Consumer Affairs, Mary Ellen Burris, promotes its virtues to consumers this way: […]
Perishable Thoughts
David A. Linder, Director of Merchandising for the Military Produce Group in Norfolk, Virginia, had sent along a great Cicero quote on agriculture, which we used in the Perishable Thoughts section here. Simultaneously he had sent along a second quote, one he identified as coming from a noted poet: “Nature does not accomplish things. She […]
Pundit’s Mailbag — Labor Shortages And Globalization Will Soon Lead To Mechanical Harvesting
A piece we wrote analyzing the application of an article in The New York Times that focused on labor shortages to the fresh produce industry led one eminent professor to send along some intriguing comments. I found very interesting your article, Future Labor Shortage Poses Problems for Industry. I agree that skilled labor is in […]
Setting The Record Straight
On AP’s Mexican Pepper Story
A widely distributed AP story entitled, Mexican Peppers Posed Problem Long Before Outbreak, claimed that the FDA Knew peppers from Mexico were a big problem long before the recent Salmonella Saintpaul outbreak: FRESNO, Calif. (AP) — Federal inspectors at U.S. border crossings repeatedly turned back filthy, disease-ridden shipments of peppers from Mexico in the months […]
Digging Into Wal-Mart’s
‘Locally Grown’ Numbers
We’ve written a number of pieces on the locally grown phenomenon and, particularly, on the issue of food safety and locally grown. These articles have included items such as these: Food Safety And Locally Grown Getting Locally Grown Up To Standard New York Times Article Reveals Double Standard On Food Safety Pundit’s Mailbag — Wegmans […]
