It was reported in August, a Wright County Egg Farm in Iowa
where much of a Salmonella outbreak had been traced, had received
over 400 positive results for Salmonella since 2008. Further
examination of the test revealed 73 samples were Salmonella
enteritidis, the type that recently left over 1,500 people
ill.
During
the salmonella outbreak, the largest egg recall effort in
U.S. history, over half a billion, occurred. Most of the
eggs were recalled from the Wright County and Hillandale
egg farms, both with connections to the same owner. The positive
results were forwarded to the Agricultural Department’s
National Veterinary Services Lab. Release of the reports
indicates someone in the department should have been aware
of the problem.
As the salmonella outbreak spread to 17 states, an investigative
sub-committee chaired by Bart Stupak, (D-MI) requested the
owner of the farm explain why he failed to report the past
positive test results. The FDA investigation into the recall
determined the last positive results were obtained at Wright
County Egg Farm July 26, 2010, less than three weeks before
the company recalled the eggs.
As we, the consumers, were receiving the news of the egg recall,
it was also reported diet pills were in question. The FDA had
directed some of them be taken off the shelves. Soon there
were reports of tainted baby formula, and the list goes on.
As
I see it, if we are paying employees to serve on committees
that investigate threats to public health, shouldn’t
it be one of the chairman’s responsibilities to inform
the public when that threat is brought to the committee’s
attention? If testing of products occurs and harmful test results
are determined yet there is no follow up — why
do the testing?
I wonder why some tests are performed and what kinds of test
are done on many products presented to the FDA. It seems we
are frequently being advised of products being recalled and
told we should not be using them. How do these products get
on the shelves for purchase or into stores if they are unsafe?
Do we have to have deaths or serious illnesses reported from
the use of them before action is taken?
I
recently read a report of young girls suffering developmental
effects from drinking milk, most of
which is found
to contain growth hormones. I wonder if much of
our obesity
problems
could be traced to the same hormones. I’m sure the hormones
are tested but if the test results are no better monitored
than those from the egg farms — why test?
It
seems to me we are creating jobs by conducting all the tests,
why not create a few more jobs and
gather
test results
and
follow up on them. Weekly E-coli test done along
Huron County beaches should be investigated as
to why they
are often positive.
If public beaches are contaminated, why wouldn’t nearby
private areas also be? Wouldn’t a serious
study of the test results benefit the people
who use the
90 miles
of waterfront
within Huron County? Include not just the few
miles of public frontage represented by public
parks,
but the
entire shoreline.
The
studies I’m aware of that are done regarding our
E-coli problems along Huron County’s
shoreline are incomplete. The use of the beaches
concludes
as weather changes in the
fall and testing stops. Therefore, what benefit
are the tests? Perhaps test samples are taken
by summer-only,
seasonal
employees
and when they leave that is why testing stops?
Or as we are told, funding runs out.
If our public beach areas can become contaminated in various
areas that change every week, we should be testing year round.
I would like to know what keeps the E-coli out of water supplied
to our homes. For many of us, our water comes from the same
area where testing of public beaches is done.
At some point public safety should become a priority to all
those in a position to ensure it.