Comments on: Can the FDA protect us and our pets? http://www.petconnection.com/blog/2007/06/03/can-the-fda-protect-us-and-our-pets/ Blogging by a team of pet-care experts. Tue, 07 Feb 2012 07:26:07 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: VJ http://www.petconnection.com/blog/2007/06/03/can-the-fda-protect-us-and-our-pets/comment-page-2/#comment-77154 VJ Tue, 05 Jun 2007 01:53:45 +0000 http://www.petconnection.com/blog/2007/06/03/can-the-fda-protect-us-and-our-pets/#comment-77154 Comment by Elaine June 4, 2007 9:21am ......"it appears to me that the CODEX control would benefit big Pharma as they could use FDA to eliminate our use of natural remedies, therefore leaving drugs as the only alternative." That is exactly the premise. Big Pharma wants all the money and control of how sick we stay and how much we become dependent only on the drugs they feed us. They would eliminate ANY thing that was naturally beneficial. We wouldn't even be able to use dandelions as a curative unless we had a prescription from the medical profession. This is another example of we must fight as consumers to have control of being able to use food supplements without being harrassed by Pharma. Comment by Elaine June 4, 2007 9:21am
……”it appears to me that the CODEX control would benefit big Pharma as they could use FDA to
eliminate our use of natural remedies, therefore leaving drugs as the only alternative.”
That is exactly the premise. Big Pharma wants all the money and control of how sick we stay and how much we become dependent only on the drugs they feed us. They would eliminate ANY thing that was naturally beneficial. We wouldn’t even be able to use dandelions as a curative unless we had a prescription from the medical profession. This is another example of we must fight as consumers to have control of being able to use food supplements without being harrassed by Pharma.

]]> By: TC http://www.petconnection.com/blog/2007/06/03/can-the-fda-protect-us-and-our-pets/comment-page-2/#comment-77090 TC Tue, 05 Jun 2007 00:03:23 +0000 http://www.petconnection.com/blog/2007/06/03/can-the-fda-protect-us-and-our-pets/#comment-77090 The U.S.D.A. stamp of approval, does not mean it is U.S. meat, nor does it mean it has actually been inspected. Until we get mandatory Country of Origin Labeling for meats, a pound of hamburger can be a mixture of meat from many countries in one pound. It is imported, mixed together and ground. Comment by Elaine — June 3, 2007 @ 11:33 pm ************************ True. I remember when I learned what the USDA label did and didn't "really" mean, esp. with regards to inspection practices. I was pretty surprised at the time. I felt that the USDA wanted me to believe it stood for more than it does. The U.S.D.A. stamp of approval, does not mean it is U.S. meat, nor does it mean it has actually been inspected.

Until we get mandatory Country of Origin Labeling for meats, a pound of hamburger can be a mixture of meat from many countries in one pound. It is imported, mixed together and ground.
Comment by Elaine — June 3, 2007 @ 11:33 pm
************************

True.

I remember when I learned what the USDA label did and didn’t “really” mean, esp. with regards to inspection practices. I was pretty surprised at the time. I felt that the USDA wanted me to believe it stood for more than it does.

]]> By: DMS http://www.petconnection.com/blog/2007/06/03/can-the-fda-protect-us-and-our-pets/comment-page-2/#comment-77075 DMS Mon, 04 Jun 2007 23:05:18 +0000 http://www.petconnection.com/blog/2007/06/03/can-the-fda-protect-us-and-our-pets/#comment-77075 Elaine, Yes, I definitely agree. I just think the bill needs to go further to be adequate. Elaine, Yes, I definitely agree. I just think the bill needs to go further to be adequate.

]]> By: Elaine http://www.petconnection.com/blog/2007/06/03/can-the-fda-protect-us-and-our-pets/comment-page-2/#comment-77044 Elaine Mon, 04 Jun 2007 20:35:37 +0000 http://www.petconnection.com/blog/2007/06/03/can-the-fda-protect-us-and-our-pets/#comment-77044 DMS, Surely you will agree that we need to know the country of origin of our meat and fresh vegetables, and that labeling should go clear through to the consumer. Labeling all the ingredients as to COOL on products produced in the U.S. may take a separate bill. One reason for that would be that we already have the big food comglomerates fighting us tooth and nail on COOL. Adding the food manufacturing to this would complicate and delay any labeling. USDA is already trying to make the meat and vegetable labeling sound too complicated and costly, and it isn't. DMS,

Surely you will agree that we need to know the country of origin of our meat and fresh vegetables, and that labeling should go clear through to the consumer.

Labeling all the ingredients as to COOL on products produced in the U.S. may take a separate bill. One reason for that would be that we already have the big food comglomerates fighting us tooth and nail on COOL.

Adding the food manufacturing to this would complicate and delay any labeling. USDA is already trying to make the meat and vegetable labeling sound too complicated and costly, and it isn’t.

]]> By: DMS http://www.petconnection.com/blog/2007/06/03/can-the-fda-protect-us-and-our-pets/comment-page-1/#comment-77017 DMS Mon, 04 Jun 2007 19:27:45 +0000 http://www.petconnection.com/blog/2007/06/03/can-the-fda-protect-us-and-our-pets/#comment-77017 My concern with COOL is that Company ABC in america can make some kind of bread with wheat gluten,vitamins, whatever from China or any other country, but the source of the additives will not be noted on the finished product. I would like to see them label everything. I don't think it should be prohibitively expensive, even if they dochange vendors in their constant quest for the cheapest supplies. It will require different data entry for different lots and printing, but they should be able to work that out. Everything is computerized. They save enough buying on the open market. I want to know where every bit of my food comes from now--and it's extending out into everything else I buy as well. But food is a must for me. If the big companies have the time to shop around and secure cheap imports that the FDA never inspects, then they should note the country of origin of all of their ingredients on the finished product. Maybe if this is required, they would consolidate a little more. We all know you can not get a straight answer on the phone. Westbrae Organics told me they may even have to stop taking country of origin calls. Needless to say, I am not spending one more red cent supporting their customer service department! My concern with COOL is that Company ABC in america can make some kind of bread with wheat gluten,vitamins, whatever from China or any other country, but the source of the additives will not be noted on the finished product. I would like to see them label everything. I don’t think it should be prohibitively expensive, even if they dochange vendors in their constant quest for the cheapest supplies. It will require different data entry for different lots and printing, but they should be able to work that out. Everything is computerized. They save enough buying on the open market. I want to know where every bit of my food comes from now—and it’s extending out into everything else I buy as well. But food is a must for me. If the big companies have the time to shop around and secure cheap imports that the FDA never inspects, then they should note the country of origin of all of their ingredients on the finished product. Maybe if this is required, they would consolidate a little more.
We all know you can not get a straight answer on the phone. Westbrae Organics told me they may even have to stop taking country of origin calls. Needless to say, I am not spending one more red cent supporting their customer service department!

]]> By: Ann H http://www.petconnection.com/blog/2007/06/03/can-the-fda-protect-us-and-our-pets/comment-page-1/#comment-77008 Ann H Mon, 04 Jun 2007 19:09:47 +0000 http://www.petconnection.com/blog/2007/06/03/can-the-fda-protect-us-and-our-pets/#comment-77008 Well we all know that the FDA protects industry, that's the Bush mandate. The don't test, don't inspect leaves risk assessments that can be manipulated based on the parties involved in the situations - a glaring "don't ask, don't tell" situation used for political advantage & probably will be their future employers after tenure at the FDA/USDA/FSIS ends. I also think the smartest/best people to figure the issues out are *not* working for the government agencies. 5,000 humans die a year from food borne illnesses - do we really think they'll protect our pets? I don't. They don't consider the toxic cocktails already in the system. They have on blindfolds and will not look at the whole picture. They can't - it would be political suicide and probably destroy that lush paycheck on the other side of their door. Well we all know that the FDA protects industry, that’s the Bush mandate. The don’t test, don’t inspect leaves risk assessments that can be manipulated based on the parties involved in the situations - a glaring “don’t ask, don’t tell” situation used for political advantage & probably will be their future employers after tenure at the FDA/USDA/FSIS ends.

I also think the smartest/best people to figure the issues out are *not* working for the government agencies.

5,000 humans die a year from food borne illnesses - do we really think they’ll protect our pets? I don’t. They don’t consider the toxic cocktails already in the system. They have on blindfolds and will not look at the whole picture. They can’t - it would be political suicide and probably destroy that lush paycheck on the other side of their door.

]]> By: MaKo http://www.petconnection.com/blog/2007/06/03/can-the-fda-protect-us-and-our-pets/comment-page-1/#comment-77004 MaKo Mon, 04 Jun 2007 18:50:34 +0000 http://www.petconnection.com/blog/2007/06/03/can-the-fda-protect-us-and-our-pets/#comment-77004 COOL is a fabulous example why I would like to see the FDA, USDA and other government agencies disbanded: after what I have seen, heard and read over the past two+ months, I don't trust any of them, not at all. I do not believe that governmental agencies are the most efficient, most consumer-oriented and most incorruptible way of doing things. Actually, a pack of people herded in from the street would probably have made a better job of protecting the interests of the people.... Well, at least the interests of lobbyists, bigbusiness and their cosy friends in the government have been protected, at any cost, (snortle). I really would want to know what the presidential hopefuls have to say to a topic like that. How are they going about to at least oversee the flood of wares of disputable reputation that are being shovelled into this country by cost/corner-cutting companies? Or is this too hot a topic? It seems so. They rather talk about ending the war (knowing very well the consensus of the people)instead of grabbing the hot potato of 'food poisoning of the American people by American companies who buy in China or wherever'... I better get away from the computer, like, NOW... COOL is a fabulous example why I would like to see the FDA, USDA and other government agencies disbanded: after what I have seen, heard and read over the past two+ months, I don’t trust any of them, not at all.

I do not believe that governmental agencies are the most efficient, most consumer-oriented and most incorruptible way of doing things.

Actually, a pack of people herded in from the street would probably have made a better job of protecting the interests of the people….

Well, at least the interests of lobbyists, bigbusiness and their cosy friends in the government have been protected, at any cost, (snortle).

I really would want to know what the presidential hopefuls have to say to a topic like that.

How are they going about to at least oversee the flood of wares of disputable reputation that are being shovelled into this country by cost/corner-cutting companies?

Or is this too hot a topic?

It seems so. They rather talk about ending the war (knowing very well the consensus of the people)instead of grabbing the hot potato of ‘food poisoning of the American people by American companies who buy in China or wherever’…

I better get away from the computer, like, NOW…

]]> By: Elaine http://www.petconnection.com/blog/2007/06/03/can-the-fda-protect-us-and-our-pets/comment-page-1/#comment-76989 Elaine Mon, 04 Jun 2007 18:15:11 +0000 http://www.petconnection.com/blog/2007/06/03/can-the-fda-protect-us-and-our-pets/#comment-76989 I found it! Here is Kat's post about COOL for imported foods, and it is the Dept. of Treasury law. “The law does not specifically require that the country of origin statement be placed on the principal display panel, but requires that it be conspicuous. If a domestic firm’s name and address is declared as the firm responsible for distributing the product, then the country of origin statement must appear in close proximity to the name and address and be at least comparable in size of lettering. *(U.S. Department of Treasury regulation)* ” www.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/flg-7.html Comment by Kat — May 31, 2007 @ 5:06 pm I found it! Here is Kat’s post about COOL for imported foods, and it is the Dept. of Treasury law.

“The law does not specifically require that the country of origin statement be placed on the principal display panel, but requires that it be conspicuous. If a domestic firm’s name and address is declared as the firm responsible for distributing the product, then the country of origin statement must appear in close proximity to the name and address and be at least comparable in size of lettering.

*(U.S. Department of Treasury regulation)*
”

http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/flg-7.html

Comment by Kat — May 31, 2007 @ 5:06 pm

]]> By: Elaine http://www.petconnection.com/blog/2007/06/03/can-the-fda-protect-us-and-our-pets/comment-page-1/#comment-76981 Elaine Mon, 04 Jun 2007 17:49:15 +0000 http://www.petconnection.com/blog/2007/06/03/can-the-fda-protect-us-and-our-pets/#comment-76981 DMS, COOL relates to meats and vegetables, the basic raw products. Correct me if I am wrong, someone, but I think that everything, including meats and vegetables is labeled as to COOL when it enters this country. COOL will require the labeling to be carried forward. I am more familiar with the requirements for beef, and I know that all boxed beef entering this country has a COOL label on it. It goes to packing plants to be further processed, and they drop the labeling, preferring to just put the USDA stamp on it. Most consumers think the USDA stamp means it is U.S. meat. It is all about the money, Packers can buy meat cheaper from other countries, and they know if the consumer knows, they won't mind paying more for beef produced in this country. Live cattle entering this country are also marked as to COOL, and, again, they prefer to drop the label, and stamp it USDA to fool the consumer and make more money. On one of the threads on Friday KAT found that imported foods must be labeled as to COOL, such as a jar of olives,but I think the law was under a different agency that the FDA, maybe department of Commerce? DMS,

COOL relates to meats and vegetables, the basic raw products. Correct me if I am wrong, someone, but I think that everything, including meats and vegetables is labeled as to COOL when it enters this country. COOL will require the labeling to be carried forward.

I am more familiar with the requirements for beef, and I know that all boxed beef entering this country has a COOL label on it. It goes to packing plants to be further processed, and they drop the labeling, preferring to just put the USDA stamp on it. Most consumers think the USDA stamp means it is U.S. meat. It is all about the money, Packers can buy meat cheaper from other countries, and they know if the consumer knows, they won’t mind paying more for beef produced in this country.

Live cattle entering this country are also marked as to COOL, and, again, they prefer to drop the label, and stamp it USDA to fool the consumer and make more money.

On one of the threads on Friday KAT found that imported foods must be labeled as to COOL, such as a jar of olives,but I think the law was under a different agency that the FDA, maybe department of Commerce?

]]> By: DMS http://www.petconnection.com/blog/2007/06/03/can-the-fda-protect-us-and-our-pets/comment-page-1/#comment-76958 DMS Mon, 04 Jun 2007 17:03:24 +0000 http://www.petconnection.com/blog/2007/06/03/can-the-fda-protect-us-and-our-pets/#comment-76958 I am still a bit unclear on the full scope of COOL.. I realize it is better than what we have==or don't have. But would it require country of origin for the additives in the finished products, the additives that are so suspicious now. My reading of it seems to say it will not. If that is so, we are left with a lot of uncertainty and vulnerability as additives proliferate the whole processed food spectrum. I am still a bit unclear on the full scope of COOL.. I realize it is better than what we have==or don’t have. But would it require country of origin for the additives in the finished products, the additives that are so suspicious now. My reading of it seems to say it will not. If that is so, we are left with a lot of uncertainty and vulnerability as additives proliferate the whole processed food spectrum.

]]>