Scare Tactics Gone Wrong
November 1, 2009 The fresh produce industry certainly doesn’t need any more bad publicity. We’ve seen too many headlines and we’ve all heard the stories of growers’ losses as a result. So, last month when the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) came out with its list of the Top 10 Riskiest Foods, it was very disappointing to see that CSPI had leafy greens topping the “list” and potatoes, tomatoes, sprouts, and berries also included in the Top 10.
A hot topic right now, food safety has been on the minds of our legislators in Washington. As we know, part of FDA’s agenda is to shift the emphasis away from removing unsafe product from the marketplace to keeping it from entering the market in the first place.
On top of that, at press time hearings have been taking place on a proposed National Leafy Greens Marketing Agreement. Despite the fact that not
everyone is in agreement on how this should be addressed, delivering the safest produce possible to customers is the end goal.
Getting Vocal
That is part of the reason why CSPI’s “findings” are truly so disappointing. The industry, as a whole, works very hard to ensure that what is delivered to the customer is the safest it can possibly be.
I’m sure you are already aware of what my colleague David Eddy () thinks of this list. It is good to know there are many others who feel the same way, too.
Responding to the list, United Fresh Produce Association and the Produce Marketing Association (PMA) released a joint statement to CSPI, basically saying that the report is deceiving. A portion of the letter states: “By focusing your ‘Top 10’ release solely on the food products listed, you are presenting a misleading picture to the American public.”
to read United and PMA’s statement. Based on feedback from our audience, others are up in arms about CSPI’s “findings,” as well. For example, one person had this to say:
“Producers, packers, and retailers have a responsibility to food safety the same way any industry is responsible for not killing anyone with their products. Consumers should be free to buy and consume food without serious risk to their health. Science in the Public Interest needs to consider a better use of its talents than to scare the public out of the marketplace. I would expect the agriculture industry to come down hard on Center for Science in the Public Interest.”
Taking CSPI To Task
I think this person hit the nail on the head when she says “scare the public out of the marketplace.” The CSPI report indicates that salads have the potential to make you sick. A press release about the list states that despite the risk, consumers shouldn’t “forgo an occasional salad Niçoise,” which is a salad that typically contains several of the food items on the “list.”
Really?
First of all — and as we all know — salads shouldn’t be occasional. What has the Produce For Better Health Foundation been preaching for several years now?
Basically, CSPI is pushing hard for food safety legislation, but does the group really think that by telling people the very food that will save their health also has the potential to make them sick is the way to go about that?
I don’t think so.
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