TOO MANY COOKS SPOIL THE BROTH!-THE AMERICAN SCENARIO

Blaming politicians for all the woes in a democratic system of governance is too common in many countries. Here is a difference when it comes to understanding the food safety problems in a country like America where a congress woman has comprehended the underlying issue that is responsible for countless episodes of food poisoning in that country. Here is her statement which deserves serious consideration by the Obama administration.

"Given the sheer number of foodborne illnesses and outbreaks, it is no surprise that federal oversight of food safety continues to be included on the GAO's list of high risk areas. You need to look no further than the current Salmonella outbreak that has sickened 18 people in five states to know that food safety deserves to be on this list and it is time for Congress to act. Since the GAO first added food safety to the list of high risk areas in 2007, they have highlighted the fragmented oversight of food safety and recommended the establishment of a government-wide plan to address this critical problem. That plan remains elusive. "The fragmented nature of our federal food safety system is well established and underscores the need for a single food safety agency. Right now there is not one single person in charge and that puts us all at risk of getting sick from preventable illnesses. I will again introduce legislation to establish a single food safety agency, which would ensure that there is one person the public can hold accountable when outbreaks occur. "Given the clear need to reorganize our food safety system to protect the public health, this bill is absolutely necessary. It will ensure a coordinated strategy for preventing and responding to foodborne illnesses. And it will go a long way to addressing the shortcomings identified yet again by the GAO that place Americans' health at risk."

Of course one of the main reasons for the pitiable state of affairs vis-a-vis food safety in the US is the vice-like grip the industry majors have on the elected representatives who are obliged to the former because of liberal donations to their election campaign. One may recall the recent failure of an innocuous proposal in the California ballot initiative to label GM foods which was defeated by the sheer money power of the GM food industry! Unless consumers get themselves free from countless allurements offered by the industry in sabotaging honest proposals like the above, nothing substantial is going to happen in that country in the food safety landscape and food poisoning episodes will continue to occur with sickening regularity. Citizens must unite to pressurize their elected representatives to safeguard their interests through sound legislation in stead of succumbing to the money power of the industry!

V.H.POTTY
http://vhpotty.blogspot.com/
http://foodtechupdates.blogspot.com

    

STREET VENDORS-THE REAL ENTREPRENEURS AND FRIENDS OF AAM AADMI

Street vendors do play a role in filling a gap for food service at low cost. No matter how much they are being denigrated, there is a substantial loyal followers appreciating their service. The organized catering industry to day is to be faulted for the greed their members are showing in escalating the prices at which foods are offered by them within the four walls of their facilities. In a democratic country adopting the liberalized economic regime, considered pro-business, there is no place for price control on consumer products as the atmosphere is one of competition. While processed food industry is shackled by the mandatory MRP declaration provision on the front of the pack, there is no such compulsion for catering industry to pre-inform the customers about the price tags for various preparations served inside their restaurant. Naturally there is a substantial segment of population not willing or affording to pay the extortionist prices by the organized restaurants which has opened up a fertile area of business for the low end street vendors. Here is a typical story coming from a small time town in Karnataka, located a few kilometers from Bangalore and one has to see to believe how vibrant and appreciative such small scale food vending can be, besides being a friend of low middle class citizens in the country!     

"Speaking about health factor, Singh said the oil is changed for various kinds of fritters. "The health of the customers is important for us too," he added. "We put the spices into a heated vessel. The raw fritters are dipped into the spices and immediately fried in oil." "Such snacks are in great demand in Uttar Pradesh and the neighbouring states. But we are glad to find such demand for the fritters here too. It is a heartening for us since we are dependent on such customers for our livelihood," he explained. Manohar, a college student, said that part of the lure is that their native places do not have big hotels, and because such snacks are usually not prepared by small hotels and eateries. "There is almost no place were family members can gather and spend hours, chatting over a plate of eatables. We therefore depend on the roadside 'cooks' who prepare the fritters right in front of us and hand them to us in minutes," he said. "I join my friends outside the Junior College in the evenings to savour the snacks prepared on pushcarts. On weekends my family members too come to the spots to try out some new item." Siddaraju, a private company employee, concurred. "All hotels in our town close by 8 pm. Very often no food is available at any eatery. We necessarily have to approach the cooks with pushcarts, to get idlis, puris, spiced rice (chitranna), tamarind rice (puliyogare) and egg fried rice," he said. "Such food has become a part of the lifestyle of our City," he said. ( Quoted from Deccan Herald, January 28, 2013)

There may be many problems associated with street vending system including suspect hygienic environment and these problems, some real, some alleged, can be overcome if there is a sincere attempt by the local civic authorities to address them. In a recent incidence there was a report that one street vendor was killed by the ruthless police who live on the "moolah" extracted from these poor vendors! In many large cities in India, the street vending system is vanishing fast due to narrow roads, congested markets, police harassment, unsympathetic attitude of the civic authorities and many other factors. What is not understood is why in India street vending cannot be modernized when even in a country like the US Food Trucks, a glorified version of street vending is taking deep roots across major cities in there? Governments at Delhi as well as in the states have a social, economic and moral responsibility to address the issues concerned with street vending practices.

V.H.POTTY
http://vhpotty.blogspot.com/
http://foodtechupdates.blogspot.com