Track fruits and veggies from farm to store, consumer groups urge
04.07.2008 16:00
Health
- Source: cbc.ca
 Investigators initially suspected raw, fresh tomatoes caused a salmonella outbreak in the U.S., but have now widened their probe to include other vegetables that are served with tomatoes.(Las Cruces Sun-News/Associated Press)Consumer groups are calling on the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to introduce a new tracking program while investigators continue looking into a salmonella outbreak that has sickened hundreds in the U.S. In a letter to FDA commissioner Andrew von Eschenbach, the Center for Science in the Public Interest and the Consumer Federation of America call for a system that would allow authorities to track fruits and vegetables from the farm to the store. "Effective traceability labelling must encompass the multiple steps along the path from farm to table, including farm-of-origin, packer, distributor, and retailer," the letter read. "Such a system should use a standardized code for all FDA-regulated items to streamline investigations and ensure effective record-keeping by all entities along the production chain. The groups criticized the FDA for failing to institute such a program two years ago, when spinach grown in California was found to be tainted with E. coli and sickened more than 200 people. Meanwhile, the FDA continues to search for the cause of the salmonella outbreak that has sickened 887 people — hospitalizing more than 100 — across the U.S. Investigators initially suspected tomatoes but have since widened their probe to include other vegetables eaten with tomatoes. Common symptoms of salmonella infection include nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain and diarrhea, although more serious consequences are possible, especially in children, the elderly and those with weakened immune systems. Story Tools: E-MAIL | PRINT | Text Size: SMLXL | REPORT TYPO | SEND YOUR FEEDBACKRelatedInternal LinksIN DEPTH: SalmonellaSalmonella outbreak sickens 4,000 DanesTomatoes may not be source of salmonella outbreak: U.S.Health HeadlinesZeroing in on brain chemical's link to SIDS: scientistsAn imbalance in a brain chemical linked to depression may also have something to do with sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), say Italian scientists who have uncovered new evidence that may pinpoint how it happens.Healthy woman's assisted suicide sets off firestorm in GermanyA doctor told Bettina Schardt just the right formula of antimalarial drugs and tranquilizers she needed to commit suicide painlessly — and he set up a camera to film her death.Transgendered man gives birth to girlA U.S. man who was born a woman but underwent a gender change has given birth to a girl.Cutting calories could lengthen your life, research showsCutting the number of calories you eat every day could prolong your life, suggests a new study.Lab problems due to restructuring, former clinical chief saysIn his third day of testimony at the Cameron inquiry into faulty hormone receptor tests at Eastern Health, former clinical chief Dr. Donald Cook said he believes the root of the problem lies with corporate restructuring in the 1990s. Health FeaturesIN DEPTHDrug-resistant TBAnatomy of a killer
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