US food recalls raise questions
Dec 29, 2005
The urgent recall of certain pre-packaged Dole salad products has called into question the safety of a popular convenience product. In October 2005 it was reported that a potential outbreak of E. coli O157:H7 in Minnesota led to a recall of Dole salad products and that it could significantly dent consumer confidence in a highly lucrative sector of the convenience food market. Unfortunately, bacteria that cause food-borne illness can be destroyed by cooking, but most salads are served raw. This is the latest case of fruit and vegetable products to have been linked with a food poisoning outbreak. Dried basil contaminated with Salmonella was at the center of a major product recall in California earlier this summer, resulting in the recall of all potentially affected products.
Pre-washed salads can be eaten without further washing according to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), In principle, they provide modern consumer needs of convenience, nutrition and safety and sales topped $2.3 billion last year (source ACNielsen).
Dr John P Sanders, Epidemiologist, FDA USA will talk on "FDA's Role in Foodborne Disease and Cosmetic Emergencies" at the forthcoming major conference "Food and Livestock Traceability" Dallas USA February 1-2 2006. See www.trackingfood.com for agenda and registration. He will cover The FDA's Mission, the Changes after 9/11 and the Bioterrorism Preparedness Act of 2001 and Current and Future Challenges for FDA.
David Statham of the UK, Food Standards Agency, UK will talk on "Food Traceability, A European Perspective" and cover
- Traceability the legal requirements
- Traceability practical requirements
- Traceability and product recalls
- Case studies
There is still space for exhibitor/ lecturers alongside these giants of the industry. Contact Dr Peter Harrop on p.harrop@idtechex.com
Food Traceability 2006 conference will be held on February 1-2 2006 in Dallas, USA. This hot topic is driven by health scares, bioterrorism and new laws. It will become the largest RFID application but we cover DNA and many other vital technologies as well. For further details please visit www.trackingfood.com 
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