Project Web: Glory Cruz

Glory Cruz

Professor Reynolds

English 113B

May 9, 2012

                                                Food Safety and its Consequences

            A heartbreaking loss of 2-½ year old Kevin Kowalcyk occurred August 11, 2001 due to E.coli contamination. In the documentary film called “Food Inc.” Kevin’s mom aims to reduce the amount of foodborne illness in the United States by informing us about her son’s loss. Food is essential, but food infectivity can result in illness, and widespread contamination, which produces large social and economic costs. Approximately each year in the United States, thousands of Americans go through and die from preventable foodborne illness.

Eating meat that is rare or poorly cooked is the most usual way of possible exposure to E.coli contamination. Bacteria exist in the intestines of some healthy farm animals and contamination of the meat may happen in the slaughtering procedure.  Cows need to eat grass, but cattle industries are giving them corn to eat. Eating corn makes them fatter and can bring health problems to the cows, which then leads to unhealthy meat. Later there can be a chance of the meat containing E.coli. According to Marler Clarks research, “The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that 48 million foodborne illness cases occur in the United States every year.  At least 128,000 Americans are hospitalized, and 3,000 die after eating contaminated food” (Clark). We can see how it is important for us to take precaution because there are high risks coming from contaminated food. Fruits and vegetables are healthy for us since they provide us with vitamins, fiber and minerals, but recently there has been food outbreaks due to contamination of E.coli. They have found that E.coli has been found in lettuce, sprouts, and cantaloupe. “There were 22 outbreaks of E. coli connected with the consumption of leafy green vegetables in California from 1995 through 2006, according to the CPS website” (Stiny). On September 14, 2011 there was a cantaloupe recall involving Jensen farms.  The bacteria can be found naturally in the soil, and also in manure. It can be in the water supply if manure is part of the run-off. Any raw food can carry living listeria bacteria and it's one of the reasons why washing all raw veggies is so important.

Kevin’s law is about a real life tragic death due to contamination. It is named after Kevin Michael Kowalcyk, a 2-½ year old boy who died after eating a hamburger contaminated with E.coli. First he was hospitalized for dehydration and afterward his kidneys were worsening.  After being resuscitated twice he then died within 12 days. “Specifically, the law will require FDA, as well as food processors and producers, to identify areas of risk so that preventive measures can be developed and implemented” (Kowalcyk). Elderly people, infants, and pregnant woman are at higher risks from infection of Listeria than other individuals. The law has not been passed yet, but we should support it since it can be beneficial to us. This should make us think of what we consume and how it can affect our lives without knowing it will happen. Parents would not like their kids to die of the same situation Kevin did. Kevin’s parents never thought that by giving their child an ordinary hamburger he would end up being contaminated with E.coli.

Regulations and strict codes are necessary in controlling the processing of foods that may cause harm to the consumers. This is where laws such as the 1906 Federal Meat Inspection Act, Food Safety Modernization Act, and Kevin’s law come in handy. The Federal Meat Inspection Act established sanitary standards for the meat industry and required the inspection of animals before and after slaughter.  According to the FDA “the Food Safety Modernization Act also provides FDA with new enforcement authorities designed to achieve higher rates of compliance with prevention and risk based food safety standards and to better respond to and contain problems when they do occur.” As for this the FDA also contributes in protecting our health when it comes to food issues and improving food safety. “In January 2011, President Obama signed legislation that gave the F.D.A. new powers to police foreign foods. For instance, the law for the first time gave the F.D.A. the authority to order companies to withdraw foods suspected of being contaminated. Previously the F.D.A. could only ask manufacturers to withdraw suspect foods” (NY Times). The Food Safety Modernization Act also is in charge to keep food supply safe and to prevent contamination. These acts have an impact towards food safety just like Kevin’s Law.

Furthermore I believe a solution is for the Government to invest in food safety that will then reduce huge expenses in treating food related disorders. “As with all food producers must be in compliance with local, state and federal health standards and food safety laws” (E.Coli). We should suggest and inform Government to make a change to stop foodborne illnesses and deaths as of today and in the future. We can see that the corporations main concern is money and not the well being of its customers.

Overall we can see the effects that appear throughout food safety issues around the world. Even more important consumers should take precautions in order to decrease our chances of contamination. It is the government and food industries duty to ensure that there is no longer contaminated food and keep enforcing laws that help deal with food safety. Food safety laws have been around for many years, but will the US keep protecting the people from high risk of food infections.

 Works Cited

Clark, Marler. "About Foodborne Illness." Foodborne Illness: Food Poisoning. Web.            26 Apr. 2012.

"E. Coli Facts." E.Coli. Organic Trade Association, 8 June 2011. Web. 24 Apr. 2012.                          

"Food and Drug Administration." U.S. Food And Drug Administration. The New York            Times, 11 Apr. 2012. Web. 24 Apr. 2012.

Kowalcyk, Barbara. "Food Safety Law Makes History." The Huffington Post. TheHuffingtonPost.com, 06 Jan. 2011. Web. 05 May 2012.

"Rapid Tracing of Food Products Prevents Illness." FDA Transparency Blog. Web. 15 Apr. 2012.

Stiny, Andy. "Salinas Valley Growers Says Spinach Safer Five Years after E. Coli Outbreak." The Salinas Californian. 16 Sept. 2011. Web. 05 May 2012.