| | |  Business News | July 2008 
FDA’s Handling of the Salmonella Outbreak Makes Producers Angry
 Raoul Railey - eFluxMedia
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| | In spite of the extensive testing for salmonella that both vegetables imported from Mexico and local ones are being run through, no positive samples have been discovered yet. | | |
The way the Food and Drugs Administration agency and the Centers of Disease Control are managing the salmonella outbreak that hit the United States has made producers angry. It is estimated that tomato growers have lost $250 million, as the FDA first blamed three varieties of tomatoes for the outbreak.
Recent studies have shifted the agency’s focus on other vegetables such as jalapeno and serrano peppers and, more recently, basil. Even as this happens, the FDA has not yet cleared out the tomatoes, and has repeatedly said that there is still danger of contamination associated to them.
Tomato producers cannot do anything but watch as their crops become rotten on the fields, as nobody wants to buy them any more. Even when they manage to find a buyer, they are paid very little for their products.
All these prompted some farmers to ask for compensations for the money they lost, if it is proven that tomatoes have had nothing to do with the outbreak.
On the other hand, Mexican authorities also have accused FDA’s manner of handling the investigation. According to Reuters, Mexico’s Agriculture Ministry, Mr. Marco Antonio Sifuentes said that the FDA “are not handling this right and as the agriculture ministry we are asking for a serious and responsible investigation—not sending out communiqués without proof or scientific analysis."
In spite of the extensive testing for salmonella that both vegetables imported from Mexico and local ones are being run through, no positive samples have been discovered yet. As far as imports are concerned, they are let to reach their destination, but selling them is not authorized until tests prove they are safe. |
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