Are We Going to Be the 'Poison Squad' of 2025?
Because EVERYBODY EATS
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📖Book Recommendation:
“The Poison Squad”
By Deborah Blum
Since we are in the midst of the decimation of many federal agencies through budget and staffing cuts, it might be appropriate to read up on what our food supply was like before the FDA and food safety inspections. In the early 20th century, adulteration and contamination of food was routine and rife. Chalk dust was added to milk to make it appear whiter. Ground coffee “…might be made up of ground bone, blackened with lead, or charred seeds and plant matter.” To that end, here’s an article that talks about that What was food like before the FDA? | Popular Science
🤔More Food Safety Issues Ahead?
There’s been so much happening in so many areas of the federal government, it’s easy to miss some of the news, particularly when it comes to issues that may be important to dietitians and nutrition professionals…like agency changes and staff reductions that will affect food safety. Will our food supply be less safe? Check out some of what is happening. (Time will tell.)
✈️Less assistance for food inspectors
“…When Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced in March that he would eliminate thousands of jobs from federal health agencies, he promised that he would spare the inspectors who keep America's food and drugs safe by scrutinizing factories around the world. Kennedy kept his word and didn't fire inspectors, but key support staffers who handled travel arrangements, reimbursements and more are gone, according to two current inspectors who spoke on condition of anonymity because they weren't authorized to speak to the media….” Cuts to support staff hamstring FDA inspectors : Shots - Health News : NPR
🥛Cancellation of federal testing program for milk
“…The Food and Drug Administration is suspending a quality control program for testing of fluid milk and other dairy products due to reduced capacity in its food safety and nutrition division, according to an internal email seen by Reuters….” US FDA suspends milk quality tests amid workforce cuts | Reuters
From Farm Babe (Michelle Miller) “…What the FDA suspended is called lab proficiency testing. This is not the same as routine milk testing. Proficiency testing was a check for laboratories where the goal was to ensure that FDA-affiliated labs could accurately analyze milk samples. Labs would test milk samples sent to them by the FDA, which were spiked with microbiological, animal drug, and chemical contaminants. The FDA would check to see if each lab’s results matched their reference samples. The proficiency testing was an internal tool to evaluate whether labs were accurate. Many of these labs are already evaluated by third-party groups to ensure proficiency, meaning that many labs are already doing this through other groups. The FDA did not suspend all milk testing, just this proficiency testing for labs…” Has the FDA suspended milk testing? Social media hasn’t been honest about it
3. 🍗USDA withdraws a program to limit salmonella in raw poultry
“The Agriculture Department will not require poultry companies to limit salmonella bacteria in their products, halting a Biden Administration effort to prevent food poisoning from contaminated meat.” USDA withdraws a plan to limit salmonella levels in raw poultry | AP News
4. 🎨Removal of food dyes (is this good or just a distraction?) - in case you missed it…here’s last week’s newsletter all about the removal of artificial/synthetic/petroleum-based food colors/dyes and will that actually make our food “healthier”.
5. And more detailed by Peter Lurie, MD, MPH of Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) What Does the Future of Food Safety Look Like? | MedPage Today
“…we likely face a future of further plummeting confidence and, more significantly, an increase in outbreaks and illnesses, leading to needless suffering.”
⛔Will We Be Seeing More (or Less) Food Recalls?
Time will tell if we will be seeing more or fewer food recalls? In any case these resources may come in handy.
What to Do During a Food Recall (from eatright.org)
Advice from dietitian Jessica Knurick, PHD, RDN: How to Protect Yourself When Food Safety Oversight Is Being Weakened
What do YOU think?
😜RFK Jr: Exaggeration & Misinformation about Food
Gabby Headrick, PhD, MSPH, RDN quoted connect with Gabby on LinkedIn HERE
🌱#SeedOil Bonus Pack
Christina Heiser of Celiac Self Care Are Seed Oils Bad for You?
Quotes dietitians and addresses some of the current common myths and misunderstandings around seed oils.
Brittany Raftis (Canadian RD) Are Seed Oils Bad? Let’s Break It Down
