The White House feels the heat
By Gina Spadafori
July 18, 2007
Sen. Durbin’s office just sent an e-mail with a link to the Executive Order, and I see it’s in comments already: The Bush Administration has set up a high-level panel to look into food safety issues.
From the Associated Press, via CNN:
President Bush on Wednesday established a high-level government panel to recommend steps to guarantee the safety of food and other products shipped into the United States and to improve U.S. policing of those imports. The White House denied the effort was aimed primarily at China.
The president was to meet later Wednesday with his new Import Safety Working Group. The panel will be chaired by Health and Human Services Secretary Michael Leavitt.
“The administration is concerned about the safety of imported products that Americans eat and use and we’ll start working on concrete steps to address whatever problems they may uncover,” said White House spokesman Tony Snow.
The Food and Drug Administration’s ability to monitor the nation’s food supply has come under sharp criticism from Congress and others amid a string of high-profile cases of foodborne illness, including E. coli-tainted spinach and salmonella-contaminated peanut butter and snack foods, as well as concerns about drug-laced, farmed fish imported from China.
Not to mention thousands of sick and dead pets, which I guess weren’t worth mentioning to the AP.
“The president was to meet later Wednesday with his new Import Safety Working Group.”
oh lordy, this can’t be good . . . .
Comment by straybaby — July 18, 2007 @ 2:44 pm
An fyi that the topic of food contamination and safety has been covered quite a bit by two radio talk show hosts, Thom Hartmann and Ed Schultz. Hartmann is extremely knowledgeable about trade issues, while Schultz often discusses these issues within the context of U.S. agriculture and farming/farmers. They both have pets, too (Hartmann’s got a cat named Higgins, Schultz has a black lab named Buck—probably proof that I’m too hooked on talk radio!). Schultz had a good interview today (Wednesday) with Congressional Rep. Bart Stupak (D-MI), who was one of the drafters of the original COOL in 2002 and who talked about how supporters of such legislation have been frustrated at each step of the way in enacting these rules/regs/laws, almost exclusively by Republicans, who have used various techniques to block voting on or enactment of such legislation. Stupak is also very, very disturbed, as we all should be, that among the travesties in the FDA story is that the FDA is planning to close 7 of its 13 testing labs. The labs on the hit list are the same labs that were updated a few years ago (thanks in part to Rep. Stupak’s efforts) to detect a range of toxins on foods, including imports.
As for this WH/administration, I don’t trust ANYTHING they say or do … Bush has shown repeatedly that he thinks he’s king and dictator not required to follow any law. Case in post—even after signing specific legislation into law, he has added, now more than a thousand times, “signing statements” in which he declares himself above the law he just signed.
If a president doesn’t like a law, he (and one day, she) is required to either veto it, or sign and enforce all parts of it. The U.S. Supreme Court has found that “line-item vetoes” (which in effect are equivalent to Bush’s bogus signing statements) are unconstitutional. The effect of Bush’s signing statements is that several agencies have found “cover” to not follow legislation approved by Congress and officially signed into law by Bush.
On another note, I was wondering if Animal Planet has done any piece—investigative or otherwise—on the pet food recall? I don’t remember seeing anything but of course may have missed it.
Comment by Sandy — July 18, 2007 @ 3:06 pm
I’d bet 10cans of natural pet food that this release the day after the hearing was *not* coincidental. I’d bet another 10cans of nitrous oxide that the FDA knew that during the hearing.
Bush pulling this out politically into a “coup” for him in the works? Most likely. They let it get bad so he can “do” something to look “good”. His ratings suck, and most of America would think better of him for pulling out the magic bullet out of his hat on the food safety…
Comment by Ann H — July 18, 2007 @ 4:09 pm
Its probably not a good idea for any of us to hold our breaths on this one…….somehow I dont think even top notch swimmers have enough lung capacity to outlast how long this will take (if anything ever comes of it).
Comment by Sandi K — July 18, 2007 @ 4:09 pm
Ho-hum…..bet this will be just another bureaucratic quagmire. I sure wish they’d prove me wrong.
The solution is really simple. Just cut off trade with China. Don’t need another committee.
Comment by Lynn — July 18, 2007 @ 5:24 pm
Bush will probably come out and say how good the food situation is. Probably say we just
need a few minor changes.
China is not going to be specifically targeted, according to the report I heard.
Bush is for big business, not the ordinary citizen.
Probably our dear President is looking to privatize the FDA to some degree, letting the private sector do the testing more and more.
Then he can blame the private sector instead of the government if the tests are poorly done.
Comment by Evelyn — July 18, 2007 @ 6:48 pm
this is just government b.s. they already know what the problem is, and they know how to fix it. they don’t need a committee; they need to get off their arses, block the closing of the fda labs, give the agency absolute authority to recall products, and prosecute businesses that flagrantly violate food safety mandates. also, since the fda doesn’t seem to know how to spend money appropriately, it looks like they will need some kind of financial oversight to keep them from handing out bonuses for a job poorly done.
Comment by explodinghed — July 19, 2007 @ 4:08 am
from the Daily Mississippian - today’s political cartoon (and no, the artist isn’t a nationally syndicated one…he’s an art major)
http://media.www.thedmonline.c.....5180.shtml
Comment by GingerTom — July 19, 2007 @ 6:09 am
“The liberty of democracy is not safe if the people tolerate the growth of private power to a point where it becomes stronger than their democratic STATE itself. That, in its essence, is FASCISM –– ownership of government by an individual, by a group or by any controlling private power.”
President Franklin Roosevelt
Comment by The OTHER Pat — July 19, 2007 @ 6:24 am
Do they mean to tell me that the folks selected for this committee don’t have other things that consume their time more during the next 60 days? This is a priority for Condie Rice? I don’t think anything useful will come of this; the amount of work, time, and energy needed to correct this problem should consume far more that a dozen already-busy people and 60 days. And I want to hear Bush thank the poor little angels who died so that we might know what is going on!
Comment by Cathy Z. — July 19, 2007 @ 10:26 am
Lou Dobbs is digging into the Food Safety Issue more tonight. I think he’s pretty solidly on the hunt now . . .
Comment by straybaby — July 19, 2007 @ 3:02 pm
http://tinyurl.com/383t69
Pork Buns story reporter held for fabricating a fake cardboard/bun story?????
Comment by Jamie — July 19, 2007 @ 3:12 pm
Lou Dobbs was hot again tonight on the food safety/import issue, the drive by the Cattlemen’s Association fighting COOL of meat and pushing for Canadian & Mexican beef that is brought to the U.S. for slaugher to be labeled as U.S. beef, attempts to delay & dismantle COOL, and the recall of the Easy Bake Ovens made in China. You go, Lou! He was hot! I love it when Lou gets mad.
Comment by petlover — July 19, 2007 @ 3:36 pm
I wouldn’t put it past the Chinese gov. to be fabricating the fabrication….
Comment by Kat — July 19, 2007 @ 4:48 pm
Comment by Kat — July 19, 2007 @ 4:48 pm
“I wouldn’t put it past the Chinese gov. to be fabricating the fabrication….”
EXACTLY! There was an article in the Washington Post this morning about how the Chinese government has sent whistleblowers to prison. The lucky ones only lose their jobs and their livelihoods.
Comment by MFEMFEM — July 19, 2007 @ 6:28 pm
Comment by Kat — July 19, 2007 @ 4:48 pm
yup! doubt many people will be eating pork buns based on this . . .
Comment by straybaby — July 19, 2007 @ 6:52 pm
I havent been on much lately as my Dad died at the end of May. After losing our beautiful KiKi in March and then Dad in May, my heart is cracked just a little too much right now. I was really hoping to come back on and see the truth coming out and our blessed thousands of dead and sick pets being remembered and counted and their deaths finally causing a fix in the system. Geesh, I know now I was really thinking along the crazy line…this latest update on the President now looking into things is just more waste of time. Cant he just go back and look at all the prior transcripts from the number of meetings that were held before COngress? I think its time for all of us to buy Ouija boards and see if we cant do something thru that medium, I never did really believe in Ouija boards but maybe its worth a shot? I know its silly to resort to Ouija boards but maybe that can get more done than another committee.
Comment by Sandi K — July 19, 2007 @ 7:55 pm
“Cant he just go back and look at all the prior transcripts from the number of meetings that were held before COngress?”
but that’s “hard work”.
Comment by straybaby — July 19, 2007 @ 8:04 pm
crikey! hit submit too fast.
so sorry to hear about your Dad :(
Comment by straybaby — July 19, 2007 @ 8:05 pm
GO! Don, GO!
Here’s Consumer Affairs article about his lawsuit:
http://www.consumeraffairs.com.....lls61.html
Comment by Kat — July 19, 2007 @ 11:28 pm
The best defense is a good offense I guess.
China warns U.S. against “smear attacks” on imports
Thu Jul 19, 2007 7:10PM EDT
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - China warned the United States on Thursday against “groundless smear attacks” against Chinese products and said it was working responsibly to address concerns over a spate of recent food safety scares.
“The Chinese Government has not turned a blind eye or tried to cover up. We have taken this matter very seriously, acted responsibly and immediately adopted forceful measures,” said a statement by China’s embassy in Washington.
“Blowing up, complicating or politicizing a problem are irresponsible actions and do not help in its solution,” the Chinese mission said in a rare policy pronouncement.
“It is even more unacceptable for some to launch groundless smear attacks on China at the excuse of food and drug safety problems,” it said.
Echoing the Beijing government’s complaints about U.S. media reports, the embassy said food safety concerns were not unique to China, 99.2 percent of whose food exports to the United States in 2006 met quality standards.
Problematic U.S. imports from China — including toxic ingredients mixed into pet food and recalls of toy trains and toothpaste — were isolated cases and “hardly avoidable” amid huge and rapidly growing bilateral trade, the statement said.
“It is unfair and irresponsible for the U.S. media to single China out, play up China’s food safety problems and mislead the U.S. consumer,” it added.
Appealing for strengthened cooperation between Chinese and U.S. food inspection authorities, the statement urged Americans to “respect science and treat China’s food and drug exports fairly.”
Comment by Don — July 20, 2007 @ 3:51 am
Gosh, Don, good article. So what is China gonna do now, start threatening us bloggers with execution? I dont know who they think they are but all I see is one more reason to cut off trade with them.
Comment by Sandi K — July 20, 2007 @ 6:22 am
Comment by Don — July 20, 2007 @ 3:51 am
“Echoing the Beijing government’s complaints about U.S. media reports, the embassy said food safety concerns were not unique to China, 99.2 percent of whose food exports to the United States in 2006 met quality standards.”
Well, that’s not hard to do when we’re only inspecting 1% of what comes in . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Comment by The OTHER Pat — July 20, 2007 @ 6:26 am
Well said, Pat! I also found it humorous/disgusting when they (I think it was FDA) were talking about having the Chinese provide documents to show the products met certain standards……heeelllo, werent these the same folks the added poisons to falsify the protein content? Do we need say more?
Comment by Sandi K — July 20, 2007 @ 7:07 am
But back on topic…..here’s a response I received from Senator Durbin on my recent email to him about food safety:
Thank you for contacting me regarding the recent pet food recalls. I appreciate hearing your views on this matter.
I share your concerns about the safety of our nation’s pet food supply and am leading the fight for better oversight of pet food manufacturing.
Under the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is tasked with regulating the pet food industry. The FDA’s response to the contamination of several private-label pet foods manufactured by Menu Foods, Inc., and the company’s own actions, have raised serious questions about our current pet food safety and inspection system.
During the Senate’s debate on the Food and Drug Administration Revitalization Act, I offered an amendment to improve several facets of our food safety system as it applies to pets and humans.
Specifically, my amendment will:
• require the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to update standards for the labeling of pet food to include ingredients and nutritional information;
• direct the Department of Health and Human Services to establish an early warning system that will monitor any outbreaks of illnesses associated with pet food;
• promote cooperation between state and federal agencies tasked with regulating food safety;
• create a registry where cases of adulterated food will be reported;
• impose civil penalties on importers or manufacturers that fail to report adulterated food to the FDA in a timely manner; and
• mandate an annual report to Congress documenting the FDA’s oversight of imported food products.
These provisions will improve the FDA’s ability to regulate the pet food industry and help to ensure that pet owners have the information they need to make informed buying decisions.
The Senate passed my amendment by a vote of 94-0 and included it in the final bill, which passed 93-1.
I also have introduced the Human and Pet Food Safety Act of 2007 (S. 1274). S. 1274 addresses many problems highlighted by the recent pet food crisis and tackles broader issues related to food safety.
This measure would authorize the FDA to assess civil penalties against companies who fail to recall food products that have been identified as posing a potential threat to public health. In the event that a company refuses to recall a contaminated food product, the bill grants the FDA the authority to issue a mandatory recall.
S. 1274 also would require that all imported food products meet certification standards and would grant FDA inspectors the authority to visit foreign countries for the purpose of conducting investigations.
Many Americans have suffered the loss of a beloved pet due to the contamination of pet food. We must work to improve oversight of the pet food industry, so that pet owners can feel confident about the safety of the food they find in veterinary offices and on supermarket and pet store shelves.
I will continue to work to improve the safety of our food supply for pets and humans. Thank you again for sharing your views. Please feel free to keep in touch.
Sincerely,
Richard J. Durbin
United States Senator
Comment by Andrea 2CatMom — July 20, 2007 @ 1:29 pm
To be fair to all, I have gone back and deleted all the off-topic posts.
This little flame-war does underscore the point, however, that food safety is a topic we can all agree on — even if there isn’t any other topic about which we can say that!
Comment by Gina Spadafori — July 20, 2007 @ 1:56 pm
Thank you.
Comment by The OTHER Pat — July 20, 2007 @ 2:00 pm
There’s so much lying going on who knows if china isn’t just poisoning us and saying it’s not their fault! Who’s fault is it??? It came from them!!!! They can’t blame us for wanting to protect our own (unless they might be guilty) If they want to still do business with us they have to come up with a plan for us, we need to do anything to keep our food safe for us and our pets! (I LOVE MY PETS, THEY R FAMILY) They don’t want to include the pets, they should have pets die, then they would know how we feel! People and animals live together in this world (INCLUDE THE ANIMALS!!!)
Comment by me freckles — July 20, 2007 @ 2:30 pm
Compare Xinhua’s China View articles on June 13th and on July 4th paying particular attention to the following quotes:
6/13: ” The issue burst into the international spotlight after tainted additives exported from China contaminated pet food in North America.”
7/4: ” Reports of substandard food often appear in the media and the issue burst into the international spotlight when allegedly tainted additives, exported from China, contaminated pet food in North America.”
Which is it, “tainted?” or “allegedly tainted?”
This is the kind of obfuscation we are dealing with when it comes to Chinese imports.
____________
BEIJING, June 13 — About 152,000 unlicensed food businesses were shut down last year under a regime of tightened inspections which helped improve food safety, a senior official said yesterday.
Official figures show that the industry and commerce administrations at various levels last year made 10.4 million inspections and uncovered problems in 360,000 food businesses - comprising food processors, distributors, sellers and eateries.
In addition to those which were banned from operation, 4,629 businesses licenses were withdrawn, and the rest ordered to correct their practises, said Li Dongsheng, vice-minister of the State Administration for Industry and Commerce (SAIC).
He did not detail the problems which surfaced during inspections.
Official figures also show that industry and commerce authorities ordered the withdrawal of about 16,000 tons of unsafe food products from the market last year. There were 63,065 consumer complaints against food, down 2.8 percent over the previous year.
“Fewer complaints show that the food market is in a better shape,” Li told a press conference organized by the State Council Information Office.
Scandals involving substandard food were frequently reported by the media last year, such as the red-yolk salted duck eggs contaminated with an industrial dye and turbot fish containing carcinogenic residue.
The issue burst into the international spotlight after tainted additives exported from China contaminated pet food in North America.
Li admitted that China does have problems with food safety, but said they are not serious. “We should not exaggerate the problems and cause public panic,” he said.
He noted that the SAIC, responsible for the supervision of food safety in the domestic market, is vigilant and strives to protect consumers’ rights. He said the administration would continue to improve the recall and withdrawal system and set up a long-term supervision mechanism.
However, Ye Zhihua, a senior researcher on quality standards and testing technology with the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), worries that the large number of small food plants and inadequate number of enforcement officers may prevent the campaign from further success.
Preliminary statistics from the CAAS show that up to 80 percent of 450,000 food-processing plants are small businesses with fewer than 10 employees. Of the more than 10 million food businesses, about 97 percent are small enterprises.
Ye said small food enterprises are usually dogged by poor management, technology and sanitary conditions, and are spread across the country, making supervision difficult.
(Source: China Daily)
Editor: Lu Hui
_______________
China’s food quality up to standard
http://www.chinaview.cn 2007-07-04 09:00:19
Chinese food products are getting safer, the top quality watchdog said yesterday.
It said tests on 3,384 different kinds of foodstuff showed about 86 percent were up to standard.
The products, from 2,777 processing companies, involved 35 categories, including milk, beer, jelly, fruit juice, milk powder, canned goods, and dried food and nuts.
The General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine, to reassure consumers following a number of safety scandals, said records of the past 22 years showed the safety of food products had been steadily increasing since 1998.
“The proportion of food products tested and qualified in the first half was the highest in recent years,” Ji Zhengkun, director of the administration’s quality inspection department, said. He did not give figures for previous years.
Beer, fruit juice and dried food and nuts saw the biggest improvement in quality, he said. Tests from January to last month showed that 89.3 percent of beer products met required standards, 5.2 percent higher than last year, and 80 percent of fruit juices, up 4.1 percent.
Figures showed 92 percent of dried food and nuts were also up to required standards. Inspectors did not find any excessive use of food additives, a problem once common in dried food.
For those that did not qualify, Ji said irregular labeling was mainly to blame. At least 97.5 percent of juices tested were up to standard, if labeling was not taken into consideration.
Two weeks ago, the Ministry of Agriculture said farm products were safer than before, citing tests on fruit, vegetables, meat and fish in major cities.
Ji attributed the quality improvement to stricter supervision and the implementation of a market access mechanism.
But he admitted there were still problems. Excessive use of food additives and pathogenic bacteria such as the coli groups were found in some samples.
Reports of substandard food often appear in the media and the issue burst into the international spotlight when allegedly tainted additives, exported from China, contaminated pet food in North America.
However, Ji said one company’s problem did not make it a national problem. “If some food is below standard, you can’t say all the country’s food is unsafe,” he said. “We must have confidence in our foodstuff.”
Foreign spokesman Qin Gang yesterday accused the media of playing up food safety issues.
“China has been very responsible in this regard to ensure the good quality and safety of its exports,” he said, warning that the widespread media coverage would “lead to panic among consumers”.
Qin said more than 99 percent of food exports to the US in the last three years had met quality standards, or even higher than the equivalent figure for US food exports to China.
(Source: China Daily)
Editor: Wang Yu
Comment by Don — July 22, 2007 @ 9:25 am
Let the historical revisions begin!
Great catch, Don.
Comment by Gina Spadafori — July 22, 2007 @ 9:31 am