Tainted Pet Food May Have Entered Human Food Chain
The recalled pet food that is killing so many dogs and cats in the United States was fed to hogs and poultry. The chemical melamine found in the recalled pet food was, according to a story from the Boston Globe, found in feed at a California hog farm and in the hog's urine. According to the story, California health officials are unsure whether any of the affected animals found their way into the human food chain.
Similar scenarios are playing out all over the country, including New York, North Carolina, South Carolina, Utah, and possibly Ohio and Missouri. Health officials have been quick to say that the risk for humans is low, but if the pet food is killing small animals, it will most likely make humans sick, perhaps deathly sick. How did this happen? First, the U.S. government allows companies to import food products for animals and humans from China, a country known for its inability to produce safe food. Food from China has been found to have high levels of pesticides, antibiotics, and other chemicals. Furthermore, the unsanitary conditions in many food manufacturing plants results in unsanitary food.
Second, the U.S. government does not adequately inspect food products coming from China. An infinitesimal amount is inspected.
Food safety has to be top priority for the United States government. Nothing should be more important.
Source: Tainted pet food reaches human fare [Boston Globe]
Similar scenarios are playing out all over the country, including New York, North Carolina, South Carolina, Utah, and possibly Ohio and Missouri. Health officials have been quick to say that the risk for humans is low, but if the pet food is killing small animals, it will most likely make humans sick, perhaps deathly sick. How did this happen? First, the U.S. government allows companies to import food products for animals and humans from China, a country known for its inability to produce safe food. Food from China has been found to have high levels of pesticides, antibiotics, and other chemicals. Furthermore, the unsanitary conditions in many food manufacturing plants results in unsanitary food.
Second, the U.S. government does not adequately inspect food products coming from China. An infinitesimal amount is inspected.
Food safety has to be top priority for the United States government. Nothing should be more important.
Source: Tainted pet food reaches human fare [Boston Globe]
