There is much talk about the standards for orgainc food coming in from outside the US.  It seems that it is very hard to regulate what other countries deem organic.  It is always better to buy local or from a purveyor that you trust, especially in this day in age.  I think that our food is probably pretty safe, especially if you buy food with certified organic.

I just read this today: Although the United States has one of the safest food supplies in the world, about 76 million Americans suffer food poisoning each year and about 5,000 die from it. The numbers are astounding and hard to believe since we have one of the safest food industries in the world. It's not that our food supply is that unsafe it's how the food is handled both at home and in restaraunts.

The lessons are many but definitely start with awareness of where your food comes from, how it was handled and prepared, and how you handle/prepare your food at home. Knowledge is powerful and could keep you from getting sick.

I am also concerned about unregulated products.  The recent scare with the canned goods is botulism.  Most people don't know that if you boil the product for at least 6 minutes that it will kill the botulism.  We probably have more cases of food poisoning coming from home canning than anything.  I just try to remember to boil..............and it helps if you are in good health to begin with.

Does microwaving help as well?

I don't think microwaving does as good a job as boiling. My understanding of microwaving is that it tends to heat unevenly so some of the bacteria may not get nuked in certain areas of the food. I would stick with good ol' fashion cooking and buying unprocessed foods!

I do think that when you eat at a restaurant, you just have to hope that they have taken the necesssary measures to wash their hands, sanitize the kitchens and take all the precautions they must.  At home you can be more diligent. Thanks for the info.

certified organic is definitely a step in the right direction. Just keep in mind - you can't escape the toxins completely. 23% of organic foods still have traces of pesticides etc. on them. That said - it's a huge reduction from what you would get otherwise!! Especially strawberries and grapes, get them organic and local if at all possible. By buying local and veggies that are actually in season locally, you also contribute less pollution to the environment as the produce does not have to be shipped for thousands of miles.

or grow your own. If I can keep my cats from chewing all my plants on my balcony, maybe, just maybe I will actually have some decent foods soon. :) 

 

The safest food is usually the food you prepare yourself because you know what's in it and who handled it.  However, most of the food we eat comes from another country and we sometimes have know idea how they prepare food then ship it to us. As for restuarants you always have to take your chances. I try to eat organic but sometimes it cost so much but I have been checking food lables more often. I think if you have to eat something that isn't all natural...get the generic brand. Sometimes the generic brand has less chemicals and more natural ingredients than the name brand.

I agree with you, Bluevega. Organic is becoming the new trend that alot of major corporations are naming some of their products organic. Look at back of their box for ingredients, check their website to see how their process of food became organic. The best food is making it at home with natural, local, and/or organic food.

There was a recent article at LIME about the problems the FDA is having with manpower and being able to assure the safety of all food.  As consumers, buying local seems to becoming a necessity.  There at least you can talk face to face with the growers or farmers of your meat.

Americans are becoming like conventional cattle and chickens.  Give them a bunch of over processed non- nutritional GM foods and then become sick with chronic diseases then turn to conventional medicine that treats the symptom and then that gives them other ailments and needs more medication that breaks down a persons natural immunity.  Our immune system is directly connected with our digestive track.  The saying is true you are what you eat.  This is one major reason for the increase in obsity and chronic illness.   I agree you must by local and certified organic products.  The thing about labels is that  food companies are not required to put every single ingredient on there.  Most conventional food is GM with artificial colors, flavors and preservatives. Also - just say no to a microwave.  It may heat food up and even if it is organic it will strip away any of the nutrients that you worked so hard to get.  The FDA is a mess. Our family is going to grow our own produce next spring. Live well... Be Well. 

 

www.truefoodnow.org

 

Peace,Little Miss Sunshinewww.SunshineOrganics.net

I cant believe that only 1% of food is inspected!

thats ridiculous!  

Hey, I'm glad to be back posting after so long.  I'm not sure if our foods are 100% safe.  From the second a seed is planted in the ground to the second we eat it, it has been through a process we can hardly imagine.  There are regulatory measures taken so we are not intentionally poisoned, but at the same time, we just have to be smart about the places we purchase our foods.