Outsourcing Complicates Food Recalls

Associated Press ^ | September 2, 2007 | By Andrew Bridges - The Associated Press

[JACKRUSSELL]

WASHINGTON (AP) — Try searching for a culprit in the 90 brands caught up in the recent recall of canned chili, stew and other products, and you weave back to a single manufacturer.

That also was the case in recalls of spinach, pet food and frozen meat.

Companies increasingly are paying others to make the foods we eat — or the ingredients in them — and then selling it under multiple brand names. And that has prompted a growing debate about food safety.

"If people cannot trace a product back to a supplier, the supplier has no incentives to keep their processes as clean and effective, in terms of food safety, as possible," said Caroline Smith DeWaal, director of food safety for the Center for Science in the Public Interest, a consumer group.

But the food industry and regulators chalk up to coincidence the rash of recent major food safety recalls and the consolidation of food production.

"One reason we are seeing this is because it's becoming a common industry practice," said Dr. David Acheson, who leads the Food and Drug Administration's food safety efforts. Acheson said he knew of no evidence that outsourcing production is inherently less safe than traditional arrangements in which companies make what they sell.

Outsourcing makes financial sense for companies unwilling or unable to establish or expand manufacturing operations. Established manufacturers can use excess capacity to fill orders for others.

For some specialty products that require expensive machinery — like pet food — a limited number of contract manufacturers, such as Menu Foods, make products that are sold under dozens of brands.

"Being able to develop a product without having to sink a lot of money into fixed, tangible capital is every entrepreneur's dream," said Michael Sykuta, director of the Contracting and Organizations Research Institute......

[JACKRUSSELL]

”Made in China” Ping.

(Please FReepmail me if you would like to be on or off of the list.)

[cripplecreek]

Of course it does. In China or in most of the rest of the world a company doesn’t need to worry about surprise inspections by the FDA.

I worked at Dawn Foods years ago and the threat of inspection meant very strict rules for everyone right down to the janitor and proper storage of his cleaning supplies.

[LilAngel]

I try to buy my food from small local suppliers that are in charge of their own production. That’s almost impossible. I can get most of my produce from family farms. Until recently, I got most of my milk products from a local dairy that had its own cattle and processing facilities. They recently sold their cattle, so there’s no oversight on their feed and care.

[sweetiepiezer]

Purchase products that are 100% MADE IN THE USA!

Continue to take a stand and be a voice for our pets and our loved ones! Do everything you can to boycott goods made by China and this includes ingredients made in China, Chinese plant processing and Chinese exporting!

Our animals couldn’t speak for themselves.
Were they the canaries of the food chain?

We have to protect our families now.
BOYCOTT CHINA!!!!!!

Here is a list of a few items made in USA.

Made in USA
www.ussstuff.com

www.madeinusa.com
www.stillmadeinusa.com
http://www.coopamerica.org/programs/rs/profile.cfm?id=246
http://travel.discovery.com/Ratzenberger-America_Goods_Goods.shtml
http://howtobuyamerican.com/
http://www.allbusiness.com/north-america/united-states-utah/444718-1.html
http://www.americanapparel.net
http://www.jwod.com/
TOYS made in USA
www.FatBrainToys.com

www.ShopForAmerica.com
www.ZebulonUSA.com
www.usmadetoys.com
www.unclegoosetoys.com
www.holgatetoy.com
www.maplelandmark.com

In addition if you patronize craft shows, most of them have American-made handmade crafts.

Be sure not to lick envelopes that are made in China.

[OneHun]

Generally, the identities of contract manufacturers remain secret for reasons of commercial confidentiality. So how can consumers learn where their food comes from? "The truth of the matter is today, to a large degree, you can't ... and efforts to improve on it have been beaten back," said Jean Halloran, director of food policy initiatives for Consumers Union.

[….]

"The lesson for everyone is: Know your supplier," said Douglas Powell, scientific director of the International Food Safety Network at Kansas State University.

So, we the consumers are all doomed again. Perhaps, it is OK for the Administration and the House if more food poisoning occurs in America. They are very busy now bailing out the ones who got burned with crooked loan dealings. How many people died or have been hospitalized because of that?

[Veto!]

I haven’t heard a single candidate of either party comment on this issue. I believe it’s every American’s main, major issue. It must be addressed, stringent labeling laws for every ingredient in every food product must be passed and enforced.

I’ll vote for whoever puts forth a workable plan.

[metmom]

"If people cannot trace a product back to a supplier, the supplier has no incentives to keep their processes as clean and effective, in terms of food safety, as possible," said Caroline Smith DeWaal, director of food safety for the Center for Science in the Public Interest, a consumer group.

Exactly. They can pass the buck and claim innocence. Then they'll tell you that there's nothing they can do about it. But there's something I can do about it; not buy from them any more.

As I check out produce in the supermarket for country of origin, I'm finding more and more people looking at labels to see if it's produced in the USA.

[SweetCaroline]

BTTT

[Gabz]

I totally agree with you, however Ms. DeWaal is being deceptive with her comment. CSPI is actually part of the problem. they are in no way, shape, or form, a “consumer group.” CSPI is a lobbying organization bent on destroying the food and hospitality industries in this country as we know it.