Hi, my name is Susan and I’m a sales consultant for the food industry. Like a lot of people, I watch the evening news on TV. I also read the “crawl” scrolling across the bottom of the screen. One evening as I was eating dinner and watching the news, I saw a word on the crawl that startled me: “tomatoes.” I had to watch the crawl twice. Yes, there was a problem with tomatoes. I was eating a salad and I dropped my fork.
Everyone was talking about it. News reports gave different accounts of the same story. It was confusing. One day I was in the market and an older woman I never met before asked me if she should buy tomatoes.
For weeks after, the crawl had items about food recalls. It was almost a weekly event. I began a personal mission to find answers. What I found, or should I say didn’t find, amazed me. There was no single source of information for people to learn about food recalls and food supply problems. It was spread out on various government web sites, industry newsletters, press reports, and other places. That gave me the inspiration for USFoodSafety.com .
Fast forward, it’s now January 2009, a new year for food safety issues. We’re more zealous to get the word about about food safety issues and how they impact our lives. US Food Safety has continued to grow, with great people, with the same values. US Food Safety’s FREE e-mail food safety alerts and food recalls, http://www.usfoodsafety.com/subscribe , consistently attracts new subscribers.
Our initial mission ”to independently spread the word about food safety issues” has exceeded our expectations. We look forward to a great 2009.
The biggest food safety issue today is the lack of real time information at the time of purchase. Consumers are in the dark when it comes to source and handling information.
Thank you for the comment. US Food Safety.com empowers the general public on food safety and food recall information that may not otherwise reach the general public.
I agree with you about the real time information at the time of purchase. I think the COOL ( Country of Origin Labeling) is a good start in selecting produce.
FYI, there have been studies done that show that manufacturers suffer up to 9 months when their product is recalled. That’s why we feel this website is so important and that US Food Safety.com’s the free food recalls and alerts are so important. You can spread the word.
I’d be interested to know of an example of what “real time” information you are seeking.
Hi Susan, As we start this new year what is your take on the Reuters article yesterday regarding the “new” finding that melamine alone can cause kidney stones–alot of us affected with pets in 2007 were told that cyanuric acid was needed as well and melamine alone was considered “safe”…so it seems the researchers in China have proved that wrong….and how should this change the recent WHO safe melamine limits and the FDA’s stance??? Especially since we really don’t know where all this melamine may be in our imported “ingredients”…Many questions I now have but the first is how do we get our hands on the article that is referred to…I even posed on a chemistry blog asking for help! here is the news link: http://uk.reuters.com/article/healthNewsMolt/idUKTRE50C2W320090113
WHAT IF ANY ARE THESE COMPANYS GOING TO DO ABOUT ALL THE RECALLED FOOD?????? DO WE LOOSE AND JUST HAVE TO THROW IT AWAY??? DOES ANYONE KNOW IF YOU CAN RETURN IT TO THE STORE FOR A REFUND????? I HAVE NOT SEEM PETER PAN PEANUT BUTTER ON THE LIST, BUT I KNOW LAST TIME IT WAS RECALLED THAT PETER PAN CO. TOOK CARE OF THEIR OWN REFUNDS…..THANKS
Hi Susan,
Just wondering where you get your information on recalls. I always receive a recall notice from you before I get one from the FDA so I just was wondering how you were getting informed so fast. It has been very helpful for us!
Thanks alot!
Hi Melanie,
It’s our mission to get the word out. Glad you are looking at the alerts. We glean manufactureres websites for information. We have a very dedicated staff. I’m sure the FDA will see your comments.
Thanks and it’s nice to know we’re appreciated.
Susan
Hi,
I am doing a feature of the top injury, safety and health must-read blogs on my blog (www.totalinjury.com/hurtkurt), and I want to include your blog. To do this, I need contact information for the blog owner to discuss the details of the list, and to get approval to include you in the top blogs. I hope to hear from you soon.
Thanks,
Morgan Brickley
Great site and blog, thank you Susan.
I wanted to share my blog and website dedicated to the truth about shipping pallets. Wood pallets are porous and harbor diseases such as salmonella and E. Coli, plus they splinter and can puncture the container holder our food.
In fact, the FDA has rules and recommendations to keep food clear and safe, even from the smallest of bacteria…which includes not using wood pallets in certain cases.
Anyway, I thought you may be interested in reading more:http://www.pallettruth.com/
Keep the blog up, its great!
Thanks,
I hope you will keep updating your content constantly as you have one dedicated reader here.