The article describes how the source of Listeria wasn’t the cantaloupes itself (well, technically, it was) but rather, it was the highly unsanitary conditions in which the cantaloupes were processed. Allegedly, Jenson Farms (the farm that produced the infected melons) had purchased dirty equipment that was never really thoroughly cleaned (and was previously used to wash potatoes which normally grow in compost) and used it to pack the cantaloupes. Inspections have also shown that the processing plant itself was hard to clean, wasn’t cleaned, and had puddles all around the area. Basically it was a perfect place for Listeria cultures because it was damp, dirty, and cool.
This entire incident shows how loose the regulation on food processing is. The FDA is only allowed to hold inspections of food companies and processing plants once every FIVE to TEN years. These are plants that are distributing food to the US, possibly the entire world; things that go directly into people’s bodies and inspections are restricted to only once in five years?! The FDA even claims to have never been to Jenson Farms. Loose regulation is the underlying cause of why the outbreak occurred. Jenson Farms probably bought the dirty equipment because it was cheaper and didn’t clean their facility properly because it would have taken too much money for labor and cleaning supplies. If there was regulation for a REQUIRED check every year, or even half a year, those floors would be spotless and the machinery as well, meaning, no Listeria, and no deaths or sickness.
It was a safety hazard for Jenson Farms not keep his own packaging plant clean. For everyone who start a business should know the work involved behind it, which for a farm that sells cantaloupe, need to keep all equipment clean. Using clean equipments is very important. Just like drinking clean water. Without using clean equipment can lead to a serious cause after the outbreak. The FDA should put more concern on inspection of food companies and processing plants every half year instead once every five to ten years. At least this is something the FDA can do to secure the safety hazard to people and avoid something that we can prevent the outbreak if the Jenson Farms clean his plant properly.
ReplyDeleteIt is vital to ensure the machinery handling food is kept in pristine condition. With the world linked through globalization, what affects one country can potentially affect another. The exportation of contaminated food can reach millions and take the lives of unknowing victims. The FDA should definitely consider tightening their regulations to prevent the spread of disease and bacteria. Too many live are at risk if the FDA continues with their relaxed inspection policies.
ReplyDeleteRequired annual checks in farms would greatly reduce the sanitation issues that caused this Listeria outbreak. However, the cost of having such frequent checks would be enormous when considering the amount of farms that exist in the US, without even considering the amount of imported food that is distributed. The cost would be completely impractical, although other forms of enforcement is definitely necessary to ensure that food distributors are following FDA regulations. Right now, almost 99% of food that gets distributed is unchecked and it is left to the food distributors and farms to govern themselves. Jensen Farms has been around for 4 generations and now after such a terrible Listeria outbreak, there is a very good chance that they will no longer be in business. Unfortunately, this threat of going under does not always seem like an immediate concern which is why farms and food distributors tend to skimp on following the guidelines that they should be following. There is no simple, cost effective solution towards preventing Listeria from growing in produce as of yet, and it will be very difficult to come up with one as well.
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