food safety information

Food Safety Information... Food safety has become one of the most sensitive issues of 21st century day to day living. Consumers are becoming more aware of the hazards of careless food handling every day. Many concern groups and organizations have made great efforts in educating the public of these dangers. According to published information, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), foodborne diseases cause and estimated: 325,000 serious illnesses 76 million cases of gastrointestinal illness 5,000 deaths each year Consumer Reports, in their March 1999 issue, addressed pesticide levels found on most domestic produce. They found the levels of some to be unacceptable, especially toxic pesticides. Their findings are especially pertinent to children, who eat far more produce per pound of body weight than adults and who are more sensitive to some effects of pesticides. With some fruits and vegetables, kids who eat just on single serving can exceed the safe daily limit of certain pesticides. Parents have to be concerned about all of these issues. Some are turning to organically grown produce, which is becoming more readily available, but sometimes prohibitively expensive. Organic may reduce the pesticide fears, but quality and yield sometimes suffer and the nature of the process, (organic fertilizers, etc.) creates an atmosphere that requires an especially attentive cleaning process.