Comments on: Attack of the killer tomatoes? http://downtoearthblog.com/foodproduction/attack-of-the-killer-tomatoes/archives/102 Facts, opinions and reflections on being a techno-geek granolarancher Mom Thu, 17 May 2012 20:45:17 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.2.2 By: Sara http://downtoearthblog.com/foodproduction/attack-of-the-killer-tomatoes/archives/102#comment-1033 Sara Fri, 13 Jun 2008 02:30:29 +0000 http://downtoearthblog.com/foodproduction/attack-of-the-killer-tomatoes/archives/102#comment-1033 As of tonight, there are more reports of tomato-related Salmonella illness. The FDA is directing people to <a href="http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080612/ap_on_go_ot/tomatoes_salmonella" rel="nofollow">their site</a> for a list of cleared production localities. (I'm so relieved that I can eat tomatoes grown in Belgium). One thing I have been wondering about is how much of this is really due to "industrial scale agriculture"? In the "good old days", people had MORE food-borne illnesses than we have today, but because food was produced more locally and on a smaller scale, there were not nationwide scares like this one. On the other hand, when food was locally grown, there was a level of accountability and direct involvement with the consumers of your product that does not exist today. So, now we have fewer problems, but they are more spectacular when they happen. As of tonight, there are more reports of tomato-related Salmonella illness. The FDA is directing people to their site for a list of cleared production localities. (I’m so relieved that I can eat tomatoes grown in Belgium).

One thing I have been wondering about is how much of this is really due to “industrial scale agriculture”? In the “good old days”, people had MORE food-borne illnesses than we have today, but because food was produced more locally and on a smaller scale, there were not nationwide scares like this one. On the other hand, when food was locally grown, there was a level of accountability and direct involvement with the consumers of your product that does not exist today. So, now we have fewer problems, but they are more spectacular when they happen.

]]> By: Rachel http://downtoearthblog.com/foodproduction/attack-of-the-killer-tomatoes/archives/102#comment-1032 Rachel Fri, 13 Jun 2008 00:54:17 +0000 http://downtoearthblog.com/foodproduction/attack-of-the-killer-tomatoes/archives/102#comment-1032 How many cases of contaminate food will it take before people start taking their food production into their own hands. My extended family thinks I am off the deep end with gardening, but I'm having fresh tomatoes tonight, and they're not. Everybody doesn't have to product ALL of their own food, but this generation seems to want to outsource anything that smacks remotely of hard labor How many cases of contaminate food will it take before people start taking their food production into their own hands. My extended family thinks I am off the deep end with gardening, but I’m having fresh tomatoes tonight, and they’re not.

Everybody doesn’t have to product ALL of their own food, but this generation seems to want to outsource anything that smacks remotely of hard labor

]]> By: Suzanne http://downtoearthblog.com/foodproduction/attack-of-the-killer-tomatoes/archives/102#comment-1031 Suzanne Thu, 12 Jun 2008 16:18:50 +0000 http://downtoearthblog.com/foodproduction/attack-of-the-killer-tomatoes/archives/102#comment-1031 So, does the Washington Post and New York Times read Down to Earth? :-) Both papers ran pieces today saying what I said here yesterday. :-) WashPost: Rotten Tomatoes http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/06/11/AR2008061103406.html NYT: Now It’s Tomatoes http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/12/opinion/12thu3.html?_r=1&scp=2&sq=tomatoes&st=nyt&oref=slogin So, does the Washington Post and New York Times read Down to Earth? :-) Both papers ran pieces today saying what I said here yesterday. :-)

WashPost: Rotten Tomatoes
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/06/11/AR2008061103406.html

NYT: Now It’s Tomatoes
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/12/opinion/12thu3.html?_r=1&scp=2&sq=tomatoes&st=nyt&oref=slogin

]]> By: gloria http://downtoearthblog.com/foodproduction/attack-of-the-killer-tomatoes/archives/102#comment-1029 gloria Wed, 11 Jun 2008 18:52:09 +0000 http://downtoearthblog.com/foodproduction/attack-of-the-killer-tomatoes/archives/102#comment-1029 The Bush administration has asked Congress to give the Food and Drug Administration an additional $275 million in next year's budget for food safety. Is that enough, you think? It looks like a hefty sum, until you compare it to the $178 billion on the war-funding bill currently in front of Congress. Oh, what what great things this country could do if such funds were being spent wisely at home! The Bush administration has asked Congress to give the Food and Drug Administration an additional $275 million in next year’s budget for food safety. Is that enough, you think? It looks like a hefty sum, until you compare it to the $178 billion on the war-funding bill currently in front of Congress. Oh, what what great things this country could do if such funds were being spent wisely at home!

]]> By: Jennifer F http://downtoearthblog.com/foodproduction/attack-of-the-killer-tomatoes/archives/102#comment-1021 Jennifer F Wed, 11 Jun 2008 17:00:58 +0000 http://downtoearthblog.com/foodproduction/attack-of-the-killer-tomatoes/archives/102#comment-1021 I've been eating the tomatoes in my salads for the past couple days, and I have no intention of stopping. For the record, I feel fine. However, you are right. The FDA is getting a lot of heat, and not enough support. Food Safety is not one of Congress' main concerns, and it doesn't look like it will be in the near future. http://www.mcclatchydc.com/100/story/40536.html I’ve been eating the tomatoes in my salads for the past couple days, and I have no intention of stopping. For the record, I feel fine. However, you are right. The FDA is getting a lot of heat, and not enough support. Food Safety is not one of Congress’ main concerns, and it doesn’t look like it will be in the near future. http://www.mcclatchydc.com/100/story/40536.html

]]> By: Jill in Atlanta http://downtoearthblog.com/foodproduction/attack-of-the-killer-tomatoes/archives/102#comment-1020 Jill in Atlanta Wed, 11 Jun 2008 15:15:32 +0000 http://downtoearthblog.com/foodproduction/attack-of-the-killer-tomatoes/archives/102#comment-1020 Cherry and grape tomatoes are still considered fine. Your own link says so! Keep them boys eating their 'matoes! (And plant some of your own!) Cherry and grape tomatoes are still considered fine. Your own link says so! Keep them boys eating their ‘matoes! (And plant some of your own!)

]]> By: Sara http://downtoearthblog.com/foodproduction/attack-of-the-killer-tomatoes/archives/102#comment-1019 Sara Tue, 10 Jun 2008 22:41:02 +0000 http://downtoearthblog.com/foodproduction/attack-of-the-killer-tomatoes/archives/102#comment-1019 The FDA certainly makes an easy and convenient target. But, if the budget is sliced, how WILL food safety be reinforced? An interesting sidebar is an article I saw on <a href="http://www.healthday.com/Article.asp?AID=614430" rel="nofollow">irradiation</a>. Although not popular among many natural/local/organic afficianados, irradiation would likely have prevented most or all of the salmonella cases. This also begs the question about food traceability--a topic for another post..... All this makes me glad that I've got a garden. The FDA certainly makes an easy and convenient target. But, if the budget is sliced, how WILL food safety be reinforced?

An interesting sidebar is an article I saw on irradiation. Although not popular among many natural/local/organic afficianados, irradiation would likely have prevented most or all of the salmonella cases.

This also begs the question about food traceability–a topic for another post…..

All this makes me glad that I’ve got a garden.

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