Globalization Exposes Food Supply to Unsanitary Practices

Countries that import food must check on producers’ sanitary standards, warn scientists attending an American Society for Microbiology meeting, reported on by Science Centric. Lower wages in developing nations and specialized growing environments contribute to the trends in food trade. The US imports more food than it exports, the article reports, and about 15 percent of food consumed in the US during 2006 was imported. Fish in particular requires careful handling – and about 80 percent of all US fish products are now imported. Avoiding foods from other countries is not a solution, noted the microbiologists. Michael Doyle of the University Georgia concludes that that industry is responsible for producing safe foods, and government is responsible for monitoring the production of safe foods. – YaleGlobal