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Heather Katcher: Meat industry main cause of food safety problems

The Capital Times  —  7/20/2008 9:35 pm

Dear Editor: More than 1,000 people nationwide have been affected by the recent salmonella outbreak. The Food and Drug Administration originally identified tomatoes as the most likely source of the infectious bacteria, but food safety officials are overlooking the main cause of this problem: the meat industry.

Livestock operations and animal products are the source of most food-borne bacteria, including E. coli, Listeria monocytogenes and salmonella. When fruits and vegetables become contaminated, it's usually because they have come in contact with water tainted by animal manure or meat products. A recent Pew Commission Report on industrial farm animal production noted that untreated animal waste harboring pathogens can contaminate air, water, soil and crops. Farm animal waste was also the identified likely cause of a 2006 E. coli outbreak in which infected spinach killed three people and sickened hundreds of others, according to an investigation by the FDA.

Officials should do more to regulate livestock operations. But consumers can also protect themselves from food-borne illnesses by choosing meatless meals. Taking this step would also reduce the risk of heart disease, cancer, obesity and other chronic diseases.

Heather Katcher

Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine

Washington, D.C.

The Capital Times  —  7/20/2008 9:35 pm