FOOD SAFETY "MALPRACTICES"-WHO SAID FARMER IS NOT INTELLIGENT?

Pesticides mean different things to different players in the food chain. Application of pesticides is considered vital to increase the yield from the agricultural land though there are restrictions regarding the type that can be used and the quantity that is safe. Similarly storage and distribution industry needs separate pesticides for grain preservation and prevent damage from different types of stored pests. As far as the consumer is concerned he abhors pesticides in his food because of the grave risk, short as well as long term, to his health by consuming foods containing these potentially harmful chemicals. Birth of organic food industry owes its origin to this consumer apprehension which the main stream  industry can only ignore at its peril. An interesting report from Nepal reveals how cunning and ruthless farmers can be when it comes to their own safety. Here is a take on this new revelation.

"With the increase in population, there is increasing pressure on the agricultural sector to produce more food in less time to feed the growing number of hungry stomachs. To meet the escalating demand, most farmers are using harmful pesticides to the extent that they themselves cannot comprehend. Previous studies on pesticide residues have shown that a total of more than thousand different food commodities during 1995-2004 were found to have various pesticide residues. This is the reason why Nepal frequently faces quality and safety related problems in the export of honey, tea etc. to European countries due to the beyond-the- normal pesticide residue level. Lack of knowledge is one thing but many farmers and traders, who know their practices are unsafe, or even illegal, still continue to follow them and this is guided by a principle called 'the love of money'. According to the research carried out by Food Organization and Agriculture(FAO), many farmers admitted that they produce separate vegetables without the use of excessive chemicals only for their own consumption and they do not even feed pesticide used plant residues to their animals because they fear for their lives but shamelessly not for their fellow human beings". 

The above bitter truth prevails in India also as reflected by a report which says only 30% of the milk produced come from animals while the rest is created by the enterprising dairy "entrepreneurs" from pond water, detergent and other inedible materials which are obtained practically free! One wonders whether these criminal "innovators" will feed their children with this milk? Undoubtedly no. The prevailing belief that farmers are innocent people with no education needs revision if the above wide spread practices as reported are true and probably they have the last laugh when it comes to matching their wits with that of the consumer!  

V.H.POTTY
http://vhpotty.blogspot.com/
http://foodtechupdates.blogspot.com

FOOD INC. A REALITY SHOW WORTH WATCHING

Food industry world over draws criticism because of many supposedly "wrong doings" that hurt the consumers economically and health-wise. But such sweeping statements put honest players with sensitivity to the safety of the consumers also in the same basket. The 90 minute docu film on food, with focus on some of the on- going practices by the food industry is an extraordinary epilogue that is not obsessively critical but shot with good intentions in highlighting what is not desirable with lot of suggestions for improvement

"This video was not made to appeal unfairly to the emotions. It was made to present compelling information about an important series of food-related issues. Watching this video reminded me of something that was quite disturbing. The mainstream media and our own government do not starkly peel back the happy veneer of the food production industry. Thus, Food, Inc. also serves as a meta-indictment of those failed institutions of government and the media".

Probably many of the things contained in the docu film are revelations to the consumers but these must have been known to the regulatory authorities for a long time and the tragedy is that very little was being done to address the problems. The good thing is that the most powerful country in this planet, the US, is now, at least "talking' about reforms that will reassure its citizens about safety of the foods they consume every day!

V.H.POTTY
http://vhpotty.blogspot.com/
http://foodtechupdates.blogspot.com

'HIDDEN' FACE OF FOOD INDUSTRY-IS IT TRUE?

There are always two views for any issue confronting mankind, often diametrically opposite and truth is invariably difficult to be discerned. The advantages of food processing and consuming only unprocessed foods have been endlessly debated without any unanimity of views on this issue. There is also the view that food technology is inevitable for the survival of humanity as food is seasonal and perishable and intervention of technology only can preserve and extend the supply by preventing avoidable wastage, estimated any where between 20 and 40% of total production. But the manner in which some in the profit-motivated food industry apply technology without caring for social, ethical and safety considerations is a matter of concern to many. From time to time"horror" reports do emanate damning the industry for a variety of "crimes", some real, some motivated and some imaginary.

The latest to come out depicting the undesirable practices by some food manufacturers is a documentary film which has received accolades from many quarters. "In 'Food, Inc', filmmaker Robert Kenner lifts the veil on the nation's food industry, exposing the mechanized underbelly that he contends has been hidden from the American consumer with the consent of the government's regulatory agencies, USDA and FDA. Kenner maintains America's food supply is controlled by a handful of corporations that often put profit ahead of consumer health, the livelihood of the American farmer, the safety of workers and the environment".

If such films can offer a lesson, it is that food industry world over must adhere to certain minimum standards in tune with international norms without compromise and transparency in thoughts and deeds can only win over alienated consumers who are skeptical about the motives of the industry in general. Faithful adherence to GMP, HACCP and other safety regimes now available can help the industry, if it is serious about its concerns for the consumer.

V.H.POTTY
http://vhpotty.blogspot.com/
http://foodtechupdates.blogspot.com