California’s State Assembly has drafted new legislation in response to the investigation of salmonella contamination of pistachio nuts from Setton Farms of Terra Bella, CA. The draft bill aims to improve food inspections, testing and reporting of contaminated food.
An article in the Los Angeles Times makes two important points: First, that the reaction of Kraft Foods to the contamination was much more timely and responsibly than that of Peanut Corporation of America when salmonella was detected in their products. Second, legislators on the national level are looking more closely at ways to substantially improve U.S. food safety in the wake of these recent contamination scares.
“Among the changes under consideration in legislation before Congress are giving the FDA mandatory authority to recall products; requirements for food safety systems at companies to minimize the chance of contamination during production; increased inspections; more funding; and a better way to track products around the country…There also are calls to split up the FDA and establish a Food Safety Administration.”
Newsday reports on how the salmonella contamination of Setton Farms in California has sparked an investigation into all of its affiliated companies. One such company, Setton International Foods of Commack, NY recently failed an inspection because of unhealthy conditions found in its facilities.
As the FDA’s investigation continues, U.S. companies that use pistachios in whole or as part of various products have begun to voluntarily recall these products. The food safety agencies of both Canada and the Philippines are among those that are taking the contamination advisories seriously.
