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UW Experts Says Food System Works, But Doesn't Work
Wisconsin Ag Connection - 03/19/2007

Is the nation's food safety system working or is it broken? The answer is both if you ask Michael Pariza, director of the University of Wisconsin Food Research Institute. During his testimony during last week's 'safety of fresh produce' hearing in Madison, Pariza--who serves as a professor of food microbiology and toxicology at the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences--says there are good and not-so-good things happening in the food service industry.

"One might argue that the system works, at least sort of, because foodborne illness, when it happens is still news," Pariza testified. "If the system were completely broken foodborne illness would be commonplace, and it certainly is not that."

The hearing was convened by U.S. Senator Herb Kohl, who chairs the agriculture subcommittee of the Senate Appropriations Committee. The event gave produce industry professionals an opportunity to respond to the FDA's newly released rules that aim to curb food poisoning from fresh produce. The rules, which are voluntary, urge fruit and vegetable processors to adopt food safety plans similar to those required in the meat industry.

Pariza also noted that over the past few years, as resources have decreased, the numbers of FDA food inspectors and safety tests have dropped.

"This comes at a time when outbreaks of foodborne illness--from fresh produce as diverse as spinach, tomatoes, lettuce and cantaloupe--seem to show up in the news every few months," he said.

Pariza goes on to say that after September 11, 2001, funds that had previously been allocated for traditional food safety research and regulatory activities were redirected to defense against food bioterrorism, and that trend should be reversed. He also pointed out that rinsing fresh produce helps, but effectiveness is limited because pathogens can sometimes hide within the cellular structures of the plant, where the rinse cannot penetrate.

A copy of Pariza's full testimony at Kohl's hearing is available online at www.cals.wisc.edu/downloads/Pariza_foodSafety.doc


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