The government of Mexico has voluntarily suspended shipments of meat and processed poultry to the United States after U.S. officials raised concerns about the quality of Mexican food processing and inspections, an Agriculture Department official said Thursday.I'm happy that this time they arranged for a preemptive ban on the food products instead of the usual recall after people are sickened.
The department's Food Safety and Inspection Service identified systemic problems with sanitation controls and recordkeeping during an annual audit that took place in Mexico between June 24 and July 31.
The voluntary suspension began Aug. 29, said Amanda Eamich, a spokeswoman for the service. About 2 percent of beef and poultry in the U.S. comes from Mexican producers.
"Safety concerns in multiple establishments were not identified by Mexican in-plant inspection personnel, demonstrating that Mexico's system to verify its plants were producing safe food in a clean facility was insufficient," Eamich said.
I think this is another example of why consumers need more clear and detailed food labeling, including full nutritional information, full and detailed content listing, and place of origin/manufacturing information. As a consumer I should be able to read if I desire, that my hamburger patty contains corn meal, has 300 calories, contains beef from Colorado and was processed in Mexico in clear and concise language...that is the only way a consumer can make a truly informed decision about what they are putting into their body.
