* * * Easy action to protect food safety

[Guest guest]

The Codex Alimentarius, the international food safety standards body that

advises the World Trade Organization, is considering a proposal that would

allow an " acceptable " level of Listeria monocytogenes in foods. Right now, the

United States has a " zero tolerance " standard for this foodborne pathogen.

_Can you help us keep Listeria out of our food supply?_

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Changing the international standard could force our government to accept

imported food items that do not meet our food safety standards. Those who are

advocating this change argue that some Listeria monocytogenes in foods can be

tolerated by most people and it is virtually impossible to guarantee the

complete absence of Listeria monocytogenes in food.

In Europe and in Canada, where the weaker standard is already in place,

there has been an increase in the incidence of consumers getting sick from

foods

contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes in recent years.

 

The lower standard will be debated before the Codex Committee on Food

Hygiene in early December. The Committee will accept comments from interested

parties until November 15, 2008. Tell the Codex Committee that you are opposed

to lowering food safety standards for imported foods: _Act now._

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Sincerely,

Sarah Alexander, Senior Food Organizer

Food & Water Watch

 

 

 

 

_Food & Water Watch_

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works to ensure clean water and safe food. We challenge the corporate control

and abuse of our food and water resources by empowering people to take

action and by transforming the public consciousness about what we eat and

drink.

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