Published: May 14, 2009
The frozen pot pies that sickened an estimated 15,000 people with salmonella in 2007 left federal inspectors mystified. At first they suspected the turkey. Then they considered the peas, carrots and potatoes.
The pie maker, ConAgra Foods, began spot-checking the vegetables for pathogens, but could not find the culprit. It also tried cooking the vegetables at high temperatures, a strategy the industry calls a “kill step,” to wipe out any lingering microbes. But the vegetables turned to mush in the process.
So ConAgra — which sold more than 100 million pot pies last year under its popular Banquet label — decided to make the consumer responsible for the kill step. The “food safety” instructions and four-step diagram on the 69-cent pies offer this guidance: “Internal temperature needs to reach 165° F as measured by a food thermometer in several spots.”
Read on...
Just another example of the anti-regulation mindset that drives corporate America and rules social America. It is no better in Canada. That insurance policy you own, the money in your bank account, the planes you fly on, the cars you drive, the water you drink, the food you eat, you thought someone cared about how safe these things are? What meager consumer safety or financial regulations that exist aren't enforced. As you are enjoying barbecuing this May 24 weekend, Peacenik advises that you burn the living shit out of whatever you are cooking. And enjoy the weekend.
The pie maker, ConAgra Foods, began spot-checking the vegetables for pathogens, but could not find the culprit. It also tried cooking the vegetables at high temperatures, a strategy the industry calls a “kill step,” to wipe out any lingering microbes. But the vegetables turned to mush in the process.
So ConAgra — which sold more than 100 million pot pies last year under its popular Banquet label — decided to make the consumer responsible for the kill step. The “food safety” instructions and four-step diagram on the 69-cent pies offer this guidance: “Internal temperature needs to reach 165° F as measured by a food thermometer in several spots.”
Read on...
Just another example of the anti-regulation mindset that drives corporate America and rules social America. It is no better in Canada. That insurance policy you own, the money in your bank account, the planes you fly on, the cars you drive, the water you drink, the food you eat, you thought someone cared about how safe these things are? What meager consumer safety or financial regulations that exist aren't enforced. As you are enjoying barbecuing this May 24 weekend, Peacenik advises that you burn the living shit out of whatever you are cooking. And enjoy the weekend.
