Comments on: Food safety bill dying? Get the word out http://www.petconnection.com/blog/2007/05/22/food-safety-bill-dying-get-the-word-out/ Blogging by a team of pet-care experts led by Dr. Marty Becker. Mon, 22 Mar 2010 12:57:18 -0400 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: shallah http://www.petconnection.com/blog/2007/05/22/food-safety-bill-dying-get-the-word-out/comment-page-2/#comment-69930 shallah Wed, 23 May 2007 16:27:49 +0000 http://www.petconnection.com/blog/2007/05/22/food-safety-bill-dying-get-the-word-out/#comment-69930 E-Action - letter to officials asking for Country of Origin Labeling. Edit to suit yourself before sending: http://www.democracyinaction.org/dia/organizationsORG/fwwatch/campaign.jsp?campaign_KEY=6119 Consumers Union Stop Starving our food safety system! Cat and Dog eat dinnerTainted pet food from China may have caused the deaths of thousands of dogs and cats. Last fall, California spinach contaminated with a deadly strain of e. coli bacteria caused at least three deaths and landed hundreds of people in the hospital. You may have recently thrown out peanut butter due to reported salmonella contamination. Congress has been cutting back the FDA, the agency responsible for the safety of vegetables and processed food, for over a decade. Now the agency inspects only about 1 percent of food shipments entering the country and visits US food processing facilities only about once every 5 to 10 years. Our food safety system is fragmented, underfunded and antiquated. We need more inspection, better labeling, and stronger standards. Congress is beginning to consider reforms--lawmakers need to know that you care about ensuring the safety of your food. Send a quick message today! https://secure.npsite.org/cu/site/Advocacy?JServSessionIdr008=n4cspa2pc4.app14b&cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=1581 Similar Petition also by Consumers Union http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/988291138 E-Action - letter to officials asking for Country of Origin Labeling. Edit to suit yourself before sending:
http://www.democracyinaction.o.....n_KEY=6119

Consumers Union
Stop Starving our food safety system!

Cat and Dog eat dinnerTainted pet food from China may have caused the deaths of thousands of dogs and cats. Last fall, California spinach contaminated with a deadly strain of e. coli bacteria caused at least three deaths and landed hundreds of people in the hospital. You may have recently thrown out peanut butter due to reported salmonella contamination.

Congress has been cutting back the FDA, the agency responsible for the safety of vegetables and processed food, for over a decade. Now the agency inspects only about 1 percent of food shipments entering the country and visits US food processing facilities only about once every 5 to 10 years.

Our food safety system is fragmented, underfunded and antiquated. We need more inspection, better labeling, and stronger standards. Congress is beginning to consider reforms—lawmakers need to know that you care about ensuring the safety of your food. Send a quick message today!
https://secure.npsite.org/cu/site/Advocacy?JServSessionIdr008=n4cspa2pc4.app14b&cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=1581

Similar Petition also by Consumers Union
http://www.thepetitionsite.com...../988291138

]]> By: BEE http://www.petconnection.com/blog/2007/05/22/food-safety-bill-dying-get-the-word-out/comment-page-2/#comment-69918 BEE Wed, 23 May 2007 16:13:55 +0000 http://www.petconnection.com/blog/2007/05/22/food-safety-bill-dying-get-the-word-out/#comment-69918 Hank Paulson being interviewed by Bloomberg right now.. Hank Paulson being interviewed by Bloomberg right now..

]]> By: Kathi http://www.petconnection.com/blog/2007/05/22/food-safety-bill-dying-get-the-word-out/comment-page-2/#comment-69913 Kathi Wed, 23 May 2007 16:05:02 +0000 http://www.petconnection.com/blog/2007/05/22/food-safety-bill-dying-get-the-word-out/#comment-69913 We are being heard. I just received a phone call from North Carolina Senator Burr's office in response to an email sent a few weeks ago. In that email I had expressed my concerns about the poisoned pet food and had asked the Good Senator to please back up Senator Durbin on this issue. In talking with Dan Woodley from Senator Burr's office, we today discussed S-1274 and how important it is to keep it alive. We also discussed "our" (meaning all of us here) concern's about ingredients coming from China and the impact it has even in the human food. Also the lack of ingredients such as taurine and other vitamins in the U.S. I also expressed our concerns about our farmers and other food and drug companies or lack of in this country. I told him to expect more letters and emails regarding these issues and that it is of great concern to all of us. He said he called because Senator Burr is concerned about these issues. I thanked him for personally calling me to discuss these issues. I wasn't surprised to receive a call since Senator Burr really does listen to people. We have corresponded with one another on other issues. But it was really nice to have a person to exchange ideas with. So please everyone, don't get discouraged. Keep writing and tell them what your concerns are. Anyone from NC - "Beat Feet" - send your email NOW. We are being heard.
I just received a phone call from North Carolina Senator Burr’s office in response to an email sent a few weeks ago.
In that email I had expressed my concerns about the poisoned pet food and had asked the Good Senator to please back up Senator Durbin on this issue.
In talking with Dan Woodley from Senator Burr’s office, we today discussed S-1274 and how important it is to keep it alive.
We also discussed “our” (meaning all of us here) concern’s about ingredients coming from China and the impact it has even in the human food. Also the lack of ingredients such as taurine and other vitamins in the U.S. I also expressed our concerns about our farmers and other food and drug companies or lack of in this country.
I told him to expect more letters and emails regarding these issues and that it is of great concern to all of us.
He said he called because Senator Burr is concerned about these issues.
I thanked him for personally calling me to discuss these issues.
I wasn’t surprised to receive a call since Senator Burr really does listen to people. We have corresponded with one another on other issues. But it was really nice to have a person to exchange ideas with.
So please everyone, don’t get discouraged. Keep writing and tell them what your concerns are.
Anyone from NC - “Beat Feet” - send your email NOW.

]]> By: Tammy http://www.petconnection.com/blog/2007/05/22/food-safety-bill-dying-get-the-word-out/comment-page-2/#comment-69822 Tammy Wed, 23 May 2007 08:25:18 +0000 http://www.petconnection.com/blog/2007/05/22/food-safety-bill-dying-get-the-word-out/#comment-69822 'The agency can't afford top-of-the line equipment at 13 sites, and some sites are in disrepair, said Diana Kolaitis, the FDA's director of field operations.' Maybe that's because the current administration keeps taking money away from the FDA. There are just too many other things way more important than making sure our food is safe. We have wars to pay for, illegal aliens to take care of, and keep China happy so they keep paying for our deficit. Afterall, they do own more of the United States than the United States. ‘The agency can’t afford top-of-the line equipment at 13 sites, and some sites are in disrepair, said Diana Kolaitis, the FDA’s director of field operations.’

Maybe that’s because the current administration keeps taking money away from the FDA. There are just too many other things way more important than making sure our food is safe. We have wars to pay for, illegal aliens to take care of, and keep China happy so they keep paying for our deficit. Afterall, they do own more of the United States than the United States.

]]> By: Tammy http://www.petconnection.com/blog/2007/05/22/food-safety-bill-dying-get-the-word-out/comment-page-2/#comment-69821 Tammy Wed, 23 May 2007 08:17:36 +0000 http://www.petconnection.com/blog/2007/05/22/food-safety-bill-dying-get-the-word-out/#comment-69821 Consumer Concerns About Hormones In Food http://envirocancer.cornell.edu/FactSheet/Diet/fs37.hormones.pdf The FDA has banned the use of Human Growth Hormones. However, according to them, it is perfectly safe to pumped our meats and milk with hormones and genetically modify crops. WTF????????????? Consumer Concerns About Hormones In Food

http://envirocancer.cornell.ed.....rmones.pdf

The FDA has banned the use of Human Growth Hormones. However, according to them, it is perfectly safe to pumped our meats and milk with hormones and genetically modify crops. WTF?????????????

]]> By: Kat http://www.petconnection.com/blog/2007/05/22/food-safety-bill-dying-get-the-word-out/comment-page-2/#comment-69820 Kat Wed, 23 May 2007 08:07:29 +0000 http://www.petconnection.com/blog/2007/05/22/food-safety-bill-dying-get-the-word-out/#comment-69820 More about the FDA labs closing: http://www.denverpost.com/ci_5962783?source=rss More about the FDA labs closing:

http://www.denverpost.com/ci_5962783?source=rss

]]> By: Kat http://www.petconnection.com/blog/2007/05/22/food-safety-bill-dying-get-the-word-out/comment-page-2/#comment-69819 Kat Wed, 23 May 2007 08:00:03 +0000 http://www.petconnection.com/blog/2007/05/22/food-safety-bill-dying-get-the-word-out/#comment-69819 Link to above post: http://www.charlotte.com/192/story/132121.html Link to above post:
http://www.charlotte.com/192/story/132121.html

]]> By: Kat http://www.petconnection.com/blog/2007/05/22/food-safety-bill-dying-get-the-word-out/comment-page-2/#comment-69818 Kat Wed, 23 May 2007 07:59:33 +0000 http://www.petconnection.com/blog/2007/05/22/food-safety-bill-dying-get-the-word-out/#comment-69818 WELL SAID! Food safety system is a mess, needs complete overhaul SUZANNE HAVALA HOBBS Our food safety system is more than broken. As scandals go, it's the food system equivalent of Enron or WorldCom. And there's little evidence that much is being done to fix it. In the latest outrage, melamine, an industrial chemical, apparently has been added to wheat flour and gluten products imported from China and sold as an ingredient in pet food and in feed for animals destined for human consumption. ... ... More recently, we've learned farm-raised fish in Canada were fed melamine-infused feed. But the U.S. Department of Agriculture doesn't want you to stop eating pork or chicken. According to Secretary Mike Johanns, it's safe for you to eat meat from animals that ate the same chow that killed cats and dogs. Officials argue that levels of contamination are so low they are unlikely to cause harm. At the same time federal government officials offered their assurances that the food is safe, they asked the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to put special emphasis on monitoring the nation for an increase in human kidney failures. Why should we accept health risks -- however small or uncertain -- rather than insist our government take the necessary steps to safeguard our food? The melamine scandal demonstrates what happens when we leave food safety in the hands of industry and federal agencies such as USDA with mandates to support and protect American agriculture. A few key questions underscore the issues: • What happened to that recalled pet food? After pets began dying, the government pulled the food from pet stores. Where did it go? • Why wasn't the recalled pet food quarantined to prevent it from being resold? • What is the magnitude of the problem? The Safe Food Act, a bill introduced by members of the House and Senate this month, calls for oversight of the nation's food safety functions to be consolidated into one independent agency, the Food Safety Administration. Such a move would eliminate the fragmented system we have today. The Safe Food Act is a good start. But in today's political environment, consumers are no match for the influence of industry. We will never get effective food safety regulation until consumers demand change. ... WELL SAID!

Food safety system is a mess, needs complete overhaul

SUZANNE HAVALA HOBBS

Our food safety system is more than broken. As scandals go, it’s the food system equivalent of Enron or WorldCom.

And there’s little evidence that much is being done to fix it.

In the latest outrage, melamine, an industrial chemical, apparently has been added to wheat flour and gluten products imported from China and sold as an ingredient in pet food and in feed for animals destined for human consumption. …

… More recently, we’ve learned farm-raised fish in Canada were fed melamine-infused feed.

But the U.S. Department of Agriculture doesn’t want you to stop eating pork or chicken. According to Secretary Mike Johanns, it’s safe for you to eat meat from animals that ate the same chow that killed cats and dogs. Officials argue that levels of contamination are so low they are unlikely to cause harm.

At the same time federal government officials offered their assurances that the food is safe, they asked the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to put special emphasis on monitoring the nation for an increase in human kidney failures.

Why should we accept health risks — however small or uncertain — rather than insist our government take the necessary steps to safeguard our food?

The melamine scandal demonstrates what happens when we leave food safety in the hands of industry and federal agencies such as USDA with mandates to support and protect American agriculture. A few key questions underscore the issues:

• What happened to that recalled pet food? After pets began dying, the government pulled the food from pet stores. Where did it go?

• Why wasn’t the recalled pet food quarantined to prevent it from being resold?

• What is the magnitude of the problem?

The Safe Food Act, a bill introduced by members of the House and Senate this month, calls for oversight of the nation’s food safety functions to be consolidated into one independent agency, the Food Safety Administration. Such a move would eliminate the fragmented system we have today.

The Safe Food Act is a good start. But in today’s political environment, consumers are no match for the influence of industry. We will never get effective food safety regulation until consumers demand change.
…

]]> By: Kat http://www.petconnection.com/blog/2007/05/22/food-safety-bill-dying-get-the-word-out/comment-page-2/#comment-69815 Kat Wed, 23 May 2007 06:29:25 +0000 http://www.petconnection.com/blog/2007/05/22/food-safety-bill-dying-get-the-word-out/#comment-69815 APHIS received more than 20,000 comments on Ventria's application, with only 29 groups or individuals supporting the planting of the GMO rice in Kansas. Sounds like a massive outcry -- NO! And, they did it anyway !!! ??? !!! APHIS received more than 20,000 comments on Ventria’s application, with only 29 groups or individuals supporting the planting of the GMO rice in Kansas.

Sounds like a massive outcry — NO!

And, they did it anyway !!! ??? !!!

]]> By: Kat http://www.petconnection.com/blog/2007/05/22/food-safety-bill-dying-get-the-word-out/comment-page-2/#comment-69814 Kat Wed, 23 May 2007 06:27:27 +0000 http://www.petconnection.com/blog/2007/05/22/food-safety-bill-dying-get-the-word-out/#comment-69814 And, they continue to scratch their NUMB-SKULL and wOnDeR W-H-Y the bee colonies are collapsing !!!!! I think I'd choke to death if I were a bee & tasted that CRAP! I know rice is a grass, so bees aren't going to go for nectar there, but -- other franken-plants do flower. HOW could anyone even think a HUMAN PROTEIN in rice would be a good idea??? Will this make us a canibal? !! BOYCOTT BAYER !! And, they continue to scratch their NUMB-SKULL and wOnDeR W-H-Y the bee colonies are collapsing !!!!!

I think I’d choke to death if I were a bee & tasted that CRAP! I know rice is a grass, so bees aren’t going to go for nectar there, but — other franken-plants do flower.

HOW could anyone even think a HUMAN PROTEIN in rice would be a good idea???

Will this make us a canibal?

!! BOYCOTT BAYER !!

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