No such thing as risk-free food 

Posted By KIM COOPER The Chatham Daily News
January 22, 2010

As we are into a new year, let's discuss an ongoing issue -food safety
expectations from the Canadian public. 

We all remember the food scares from other countries which send their
food products into our country. Last year here in Canada, we experienced
the terrible loss of lives due to the listeriosis contamination at the
Maple Leaf Food plant in Toronto. This is a tragedy for all involved. I
certainly do not wish to diminish the terrible loss of lives and the
many family members affected. 

Many people ask me how this contamination could have happened,
especially in Canada, where food safety is a high priority for everyone.
Yes, food quality and food safety is of the highest concern for Canadian
food companies. Each company has a strict quality assurance program for
their food products that are shipped to consumers here in Canada and
around the world. 

All food and food products produced in Canada are regulated by a number
of government agencies, including the Canadian Grain Commission, the
Canadian Food Inspection Agency and Health Canada. Foods produced in
Canada for consumption here and abroad are subject to a number of tests
to ensure safety and health for consumers and customers. In fact,
Canada's food safety regulatory system is one of the most stringent in
the world. 

The Chatham-Kent Health Unit works with inspection and educational
programs at our local restaurants, grocery stores, variety stores, as
well as other retail, private, and public institutions. 

However, for those who believe we should be guaranteed 100- per-cent
risk-free food from our Canadian food companies, it just will not
happen. The bottom line is that nothing is 100-per-cent safe. There
never was or never will be a lack of risks in anything in life. The food
we eat. The water we drink. The air we breathe. Walking down the road.
Driving our cars. Nothing is 100-per-cent risk-free. 

Perhaps, in our ultra modern and highly technological society, we have
an unrealistic and unreasonable attitude towards food safety. 

I am not saying we should accept sub-standard food products. In no way
should we. However, we cannot expect our food companies or even our
governments to guarantee us anything totally risk-free. That would be
like asking an auto manufacturer for a 100-percent guarantee that the
car I purchase from them will not be involved in an accident or ever
have a problem. It is just not a reasonable expectation. 

Is our food industry perfect here in Canada? Can they deliver
100-per-cent risk-free products? No on both points. However, the
Canadian agricultural industry, including the food companies and our
many farm producers, are dedicated to deliver the highest quality and
safest food to Canadian consumers. I believe they do this better than
anyone or any place else in the world. 

Think about this -You never know when you will be the answer to
someone's prayer. 

Just some food for thought.