Dick Durbin, Senator, and Farmers' Markets? s. 510 note
Dick Durbin, Senator, and Farmers' Markets? s. 510 note
Date: 10/22/2010 8:53:19 AM ( 14 y ) ... viewed 2909 times
At last Sundays, Hillcrest Farmers' Market
Farmer Steve told me that he read an article in
one of his agricultural magazines that
Senator Dick Durbin wanted to have federal agents
at the local Farmers's Market.
I wanted to check this out.
I believe it is a reference to s.510
the Food Safety Modernization Act
that wll likely go through the senate
soon after the election.
The bill aims to increase FDA regulations
at the local level.
The legislation is designed to prevent disasters like the recent salmonella outbreak caused by eggs that poisoned some 1,600 people. This outbreak provoked the recall of more than half a billion eggs, the largest egg recall in U.S. history.
These facts illustrate the dire need for an intervention in the food industry, especially since there has not been a major food regulatory bill since 1928. This proposed bill that has bipartisan support and is a priority for the Obama administration may sound like a promising solution in Washington but not everyone agrees.
Patriot Pecan farmer John Eveler said, “It sounds like their trying to force us out, a small farmer can’t afford to keep track of this mountain of paperwork or record keeping.”
“The most feared words that you can possibly hear are; I’m from the government and I’m here to help you,” said Dominick suspicious and uninformed about the senate bill S510.
“I think what the government is trying to do is legislate common sense, people have to have their own common sense, and use their brain when it comes to food, food choices and food preparation,” said Dominick when asked if this bill would be the solution to this country’s failing food industry.
At the end of the day consumers are the ones that run the highest risk from poor food safety standards. It is the consumer’s choice when buying any food and produce, to close their eyes and open their mouths or like farmer Eveler said, “See the hand that feeds you.”
FROM
THIS SOUNDS GOOD
Scale Appropriate Produce Safety Standards
In coordination with the Secretary of Agriculture, FDA develops science-based standards for the safe production and harvesting of fruits and vegetables. Priority is given to specific fruits and vegetables that have the highest risk of food borne illness outbreaks. Flexibility is given for different growing, production, and harvesting techniques. FDA has the discretion to limit produce safety standards for small and very small entities that produce or harvest food which pose little or no serious risk to human health. Consideration is also given to conservation and environmental standards already established by federal natural resource and wildlife agencies. Exemptions are also available for low risk commodities. FDA must minimize the burden of paperwork and, as appropriate, the number of separate standards for separate foods.
Increased Training Opportunities
BUT WHAT DO WE DO WITH INFORMATION LIKE THIS?
" Should read: Raw Dairy that sold safe raw cheese to Rawsome is being shut down in Missouri. Their Cheese was confisgated. The official position on raw milk is told by the FDA here.
"Please be advised that FDA and other federal and state health agencies have documented a long history of the risks to human health associated with the consumption of raw milk. Clinical and epidemiological studies from FDA, state health agencies, and others have established a direct causal link between gastrointestinal disease and the consumption of raw milk."
"In light of research showing no meaningful difference in the nutritional value of pasteurized and unpasteurized milk, FDA and CDC have also concluded that the health risks associated with the consumption of raw milk far outweigh any benefits derived from its consumption."
Dr. Bernard Jensen (1907-2001), who trained me in Food as Medicine saw 350,000 patients.He said he was able to raise the dead with fresh raw goats milk. He said pasteurization was unhealthy. Most cultures prepared cultured milk, naturally fermented. Our fragmented science
is killing the potential to naturally heal. The future will not buy into the drug pharma management of health that the FDA backs.
New Food Safety laws aim to outlaw real food safety.
Thank you, Senators, for entering into the conversation.
We need to look deeply at food before we pass more restrictions.
FROM HUFFINGTON POST COMMENTS
Raw Dairy that says they sold safe raw cheese to Rawsome is being shut down
in Missouri. Their Cheese was confisgated.
Was this cheese safe or contaminated?
Bill Marler reports it was contaminated
http://www .foodsafet ynews.com/ 2010/08/ch eese-recal led-for-li steria-sta ph-contami nation/
MORNINGLAND DAIRY REPORTS THIS
Three FDA representatives took 100 swab/sponge tests of the cheese plant and the milk barn at Morningland Dairy during the first week of September. The following week, Audra Ashemore of the FDA, called Plant Manager York, to say that the swab test results were in, and that the tests came back clear. When Mrs. Dixon requested a copy of these test results, Ms. Ashemore stated that Morningland Dairy would receive a copy, and that the FDA did not have a copy. To date, Morningland Dairy has not received a copy of said results, and no mention has since been made of the fact that both the cheese plant and the milk barn tested clear.
Please read Chewing On Food Safety:
A National Conversation is needed.
Your voice is needed now.
See Other comment on health benefits of raw vs unpasteurized
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