Food Safety through the Issue of Food Poisoning and Its Quality - Case Study Example

Food Safety For as long as any human being can recall, food has been a crucial component for survival in any part of the world. This is exemplified by the fact that different communities in various parts of the world have staple foods, which are highly cherished by the members in that community. However, these types of food are also prone to contamination by various types of microorganisms that cause food poisonings that result into health complications whenever consumed. As such, government authorities in different countries have put into place various measures to ensure that citizens do not consume contaminated food stuffs in a bid to avert major health losses and ensure safety for their citizens. In this note, the American government has enacted tight regulations concerning food production following the rise of food poisoning in the country. The new legislations have various implications to the different stakeholders in the food industry considering that there have never been such kinds of regulations for a very long time in the country. In this case, the following discussion will delve into the issue of food poisoning and highlight the measures taken by the American government and their implications in the food sector. Food poisoning results into serious health implications to the affected persons and can also cause death. Human beings depend on food energy sources in order to support various physiological activities that facilitate their survival. For this reason, it invaluable for people to consume high quality-diseases free food products for quality and health living. However, in some cases, food poisonings, which occurs through food contamination with various microorganisms, takes place whenever infected food stuffs are consumed, without prior knowledge in most cases. According to Cornish, food poisoning takes place whenever some microorganisms, such as bacteria, thrive in edible food stuffs and release some toxins, which affect human beings (1). In reality, such toxins may affect major physiological systems within the body and hence deteriorations of health conditions of the infected people. Cornish further cites some of the health conditions exhibited from food poisoning to include nausea, vomiting, blood disorders, kidney failure, cramps, fever and headache (1). These effects, listed by Cornish, signify the ‘tip of the iceberg’ in regard to the health effects caused by food poisoning. In worst case scenarios, death usually arises from health deterioration caused by extremely poisonous toxins associated to food poisoning. Food poisoning is a worldwide problem, affecting many countries and hence the need for stepping up regulations concerning food production. Globalization and increased business networks mean that there is increased transfer of commodities in different parts of the world. Considering that the food industry contributes sizeable revenue to the concerned enterprises, exportation and importation of food stuffs is inevitable. Moreover, some food products consumed in particular regions of the world have to be imported because climatic conditions do not permit their existence in the regions. However, this networking in food distribution chains has also been implicated in various cases of food poisoning. For instance, Moxley cites how adulterated wheat gluten exported and produced from China caused death of many people in Panama (1). In addition, Conant cites various incidences of food poisoning in the U.S that resulted from imported food staffs from different countries of origin (2). Moreover, Cornish delved into food poisonings that results from different types of intoxicants found in Australia (1). These cases, quoted by the three authors indicate that food poisoning is a major issue in different parts of the world. In particular, there have been several serious cases of food poisonings in the U.S that led to the formation of tougher regulations in the food industry. As explained in the introduction, government authorities are tasked in ensuring the health safety of citizens in their respective countries. In addition, whenever incidences of food poisoning take place, governments incur hefty financial loses in the treatment of the affected citizens. It is for this reason that many governments formulate agencies and laws that regulate and oversee the quality of food consumed by their citizens. In the American case, many incidences of food poisonings have been linked to various types of food staffs consumed by the American citizens. For instance, Jalonick cites a case where consumption of cheese and peanut butter led to several deaths and illnesses of the American people (1). Wirthman cites the cantaloupes and the Denver Rescue Mission cases, where many people were reported sick and some few deaths (1). Moreover, Superville and Jalonick, quote the staggering statistics of 48 million cases of illnesses in the U.S as pointed out by the CDC (1). It is because of these incidences that activists concerned with food quality relentlessly advocated for government intervention by use of appropriate regulations to ensure that there is guaranteed food safety in the country. In addition, the hefty costs of providing medical intervention to the affected people made the U.S authority to re-think on its strategy of food policy, which did not focus critically on the preventive measures. Prior to the increased incidences of food poisoning, U.S regulations used to manage the quality of food stuffs consumed in the country presented some weakness. As it is understood by many people from different parts of the world, rules governing various industries have significant implications to the players in the said industry. For instance, if there are tough penalties and serious ‘negative’ implications for breaching certain rules, many industries try to comply with the stipulated rules. In addition, whenever authorities provide support and a clear roadmap of the intention of the said rules, better outcomes, in terms of compliance, become a normal trend for the players in the said industry. When it comes to the U.S food industry regulations, there were several loopholes that led to the increased cases of food poisoning. Conant comprehensively elaborates major weaknesses within the U.S food quality regulation system before and after the enactment of the now famous Food and Drug Administration Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) (1). In a particular case, Conant explains how the regular food inspectors were required to investigate for the presence of only one species of E. coli strain, yet there are many stains of the same bacteria that cause food poisoning (1). This clearly indicates weakness in the system because different food producers concentrated in ensuring that only the single strain was not present in their products and ignored the rest in the name of reducing production costs. In addition, Conant explains how the inspectors from the department of agriculture did not have legal authorities to recall food products found to be contaminated (2). This also indicates a weakness in the regulation system because it could take long to recall infected products hence exposing American citizens to food poisoning. Interestingly, players of the food industry in the U.S knew of the existing weakness in food quality regulation and hence took full advantage in order to benefit themselves at the expense of the public health concerns. Despite the existence government regulations in the food industry, most players are out to increase their income from food products. As such, many players identify loopholes, through which they can reduce production, operation and distribution costs of food products. One of major weakness exhibited in the food quality regulation frame work before the new regulation is the pattern and mode of food inspection carried out by inspectors from the USDA and FDA agencies. According to Conant, inspectors did not carry out frequent inspections and were required to inform the industries before the actual inspection (1). This is a major weakness because prior warning made the concerned industries to ‘prepare’ for the in section and hence making it difficult to fault-find any player. In addition, industrial players informed each other of what is expected in the inspections hence cushioning each other from the ‘wrath’ of the law. Another form of weakness in the regulation of food quality taken advantage of by the players was the staffing system in the relevant agencies. Thorough inspection of food production industry, which is distributed in the whole country, requires adequate staffing. However, according to Conant, the inspectors from the USDA were understaffed and hence making it difficult to carry out the required level of inspection of food processing units (1). As such, several food production units were rarely inspected and hence took advantage of the situation to increase their production without necessarily adhering to the require safety standards. It is noteworthy pointing out that political influences have significantly contributed to the deteriorated food quality regulation policies and hence the increased cases of food poisoning in the U.S. As it is well understood, politics play a major role in the formulation of various rules in different countries. As such, it undeniable that politics and the American administration had great influence in the prevailing conditions of food poisonings in the country. In particular, major players in the food industry colluded with politicians in order to ensure that formulated regulations were in favor of their operations in order to maximize their profits and prevent government t interferences in their operations. For instance, there is evidence that major agricultural interests funded politicians in two particular national elections in the U.S (Conant 4). This indicates that players in the American food industry have penetrated the political corridors in search of favors in the type of legislations passed in the parliament. It is therefore clear that some of the ineffective legislations passed by the government arose from ulterior motives of some of the politicians for personal gains. Moreover, the politics governing the nature of government expenditure also has an impact in the newly formulated Act. For instance, some politicians questioned the hefty amount of money set aside for the implementation of the food safety regulations and vowed to thwart the efforts of the government in execution of the Act through political powers (Conant 4). Moreover, the political process by which bills undergo before actual formation into law and the subsequent process by which the laws are executed also caused the delay in the execution of the new food quality regulations. For example Kotz explains how political legislations have made the execution of the new food regulations by the FDA to delay for more than two years since the enactment in 2010 (1). Therefore, it is important for the American administration to find out means of separating political influences in the formation of various food regulations. However, the new sets of food regulations in the U.S provide a good basis in ensuring safety of the American citizens from future cases of food poisoning. This is because the new sets of regulations were crafted in a holistic approach where the government decided to expand the parameters used to measure the quality of food products and ensured that the ‘surveillance machinery’ is well equipped with resources and authority to ensure that the industry adheres to the required protocols in food production. For instance, the new Act increased the number of E-coli strains to be investigated in any food product in the country up to six in number from the traditional single strain (Conant 3). In addition, the new regulations require that food processing plants adhere strictly to the set food safety plans and submit regular reports to the relevant authorities (Jalonick 1). Moreover, Jalonick points out how the new regulations do not spare even the ‘lower’ players in the industry by ensuring that farm owners follow the required standards in the production of farm produce (Jalonick 1). The $1.4 billion committed towards the implantation of food safety regulations by the U.S government also indicate the increased government commitment towards ensuring food safety in the country (Superville & Jalonick 1). Traditionally, the level of inspection on the imported food products in the U.S was limited to few products, which were also insufficiently inspected. However, the new regulations have tightened these aspects and imported food will be subjected to thorough inspections before being allowed in to the country (Conant 4). In addition, the government has tightened the qualifications of licensed private inspectors in order to limit the number of compromises experienced from such inspectors. Moreover, more the increased funding into the sector facilitates employment of more inspectors to facilitate quick and smoother execution of the regulations. These set of initiatives indicate the government commitment to ensuring safety in food consumed by the citizens. On an interesting note, some of the key players in the food industry understand the implications of food safety and adhere to high standards for benefit of the population and the industry. Considering the nature of the market environment in the U.S, stakeholders of different industries understand the implications of losing customer loyalty and hence the reduced number of sales. It is for this reason that some of the key players in the U.S food industry set the pace of high-quality food products in a bid to boost customer confidence in their food products amidst the risen number of food poisoning cases in the country. For instance Weise and Eisler site an example in which the McDonald was forced to re-evaluate and institute a pre-qualified system in the production of food products following incidences of food poisoning at Oregon and Michigan (2). This famous fast food chain took the initiative of ensuring that no other similar future occurrences can be associated to its products by hiring services of qualified service providers. Although the process was costly for the chain, no additional costs were reflected in the products and food quality was guaranteed hence increasing the customer retention. In addition, other established food chains in the U.S, such as the Jack in the Box and Burger King, also have a strict system of ensuring high-quality food products for their clients (Weise & Eisler 2). Therefore, it is evident that players in the food industry can comply with the new regulations and still make their profits without necessarily passing over the costs to the consumers. Of more importance, the U.S government can also borrow examples on effective food quality regulation approaches from other parts of the world. In reality, scientific approaches and by extension regulations regarding matters that involve health factors, require consultative efforts in order to understand and establish methods that ‘work’ in particular settings. For these reasons, it is important for the U.S government, and other countries of interest, to consult from other nations that have successfully handled specific matters concerning the regulations of food quality. For instance, Sweden is a good example of a European country that has successfully managed to contain the issue of salmonella infections in the country through destruction of livestock proved to be infected (Weise & Eisler 3). Although the technique may sound ‘rudimentary’, it has worked for the country and hence reduced the additional costs of dealing with an already existing pandemic. However, other countries can borrow the same approach, without necessarily destroying livestock by adopting preventing measures at the primary levels of food production. Other countries, like the Republic of China, have enacted stiffer penalties on the culprits found evading food policies. For instance the country set an example by executing a senior leader responsible for the quality of food products in the country for colluding with food supplies (Moxley 2). In addition, the country court system also executed the main culprits of the melamine milk poisoning (Moxley 2). Such tough penalties can make players in the industry to be cautious about any activities that compromise the standards of food quality in the country. Finally, it is noteworthy pointing out that the general public also has a role to play in ensuring that the cases of poisoning are minimized. Because citizens have a mandate of maintaining their personal health status, it is important they take a personal responsibility of investigating the quality of food products they consume. Firstly, personal hygiene measures can play a significant role in reducing cases of food poisoning at home. For instance, use of clean utensils when preparing food, washing hands before eating and exercising great precautions while storing food at home reduces changes of food poisoning (Cornish 4). In addition, it is important to verify information contained in the seals of various food products and avoid products that have been cautioned against by the food authorities whenever purchasing food products. Moreover, individuals can help to reduce food poisoning cases by reporting such incidences at the relevant authorities in time. In conclusion, food poising is a major concern in different parts of the world. In particular, the U.S government was prompted to institute major legislations that govern food quality in the country following the increased cases of poisoning. It is clear from the discussion that the type of legislations in the country affected the quality of food products available to the citizens and hence the need of redress. However, despite the introduction of the new Act governing the quality of food products, various agencies entitled with the implementation face various challenges from within and without the government. It is also clear that by evaluating other successful food management policies, the U.S government and other interested countries can develop effective measures in the food industry. Moreover, many players in the industry are willing to comply with the new regulations as they facilitate business growth by boosting customer confidence. Works Cited Conant, Eve. "Americas Dangerous Food-Safety System." Newsweek Web Exclusives. 13 Sep. 2011: n.p. SIRS Issues Researcher. Web. 28 Nov. 2014. Cornish, Richard. "When Food Goes Wrong." Sydney Morning Herald. 04 Mar. 2014: 10. SIRS Issues Researcher. Web. 28 Nov. 2014. Jalonick, Mary Clare. "FDA: New Rules Will Make Food Safer." Denver Post. 05 Jan. 2012: n.p. SIRS Issues Researcher. Web. 28 Nov. 2014. Kotz, Deborah. "Unsafe to Eat?." Boston Globe. 24 Jun. 2013: G.12. SIRS Issues Researcher. Web. 28 Nov. 2014. Moxley, Mitch. "Food Safety Still Far from Guaranteed." Global Information Network. 07 Mar. 2011: n.p. SIRS Issues Researcher. Web. 28 Nov. 2014. Superville, Darlene, and Jalonick, M. C. "Obama Signs Bill to Improve Nations Food Safety." Ithaca Journal. 04 Jan. 2011: n.p. SIRS Issues Researcher. Web. 28 Nov. 2014. Weise, Elizabeth, and Eisler. P. "Schools Could Learn Lessons on Food Safety." USA TODAY. 30 Dec. 2009: A.1. SIRS Issues Researcher. Web. 28 Nov. 2014. Wirthman, Lisa. "Food Safety Delay Puts Lives at Risk." Denver Post. 12 Aug. 2012: D.1. SIRS Issues Researcher. Web. 28 Nov. 2014. Read More