Food for thought

We've had E. coli scares in the past and this summer the hysteria over Listeria monocytogenes grew from week to week as Maple Leaf-made processed meats were pulled off store shelves but not before some 50 cases were reported and about 15 deaths linked to the tainted food. Then some cheeses from Quebec companies were pulled off the shelves due to salmonella, resulting in some 90 cases of salmonellosis and at least one death. There was also a federal public warning issued about various cheese products because they may be contaminated with Listeria.

Still feel like having that ham and cheese sandwich for your lunch? Why not follow up that sandwich with a trans-fat laden doughnut and an ultra-dose of caffeine with an energy drink.

Inquiries into these outbreaks are a must to determine what went wrong and to avoid future episodes, not just with meats and cheese but our whole food-supply system since most people live in urban areas and can't farm their food. Let's hope this matter is addressed properly during our federal election campaign — and followed through with an action plan after we vote Oct. 14. Since much of our food production is centralized, any outbreak often becomes a national scare.

It's interesting to note that McGill University's Macdonald College has organized a food security conference next week. Anyone interested in learning more about the world food crisis should consider registering or pay attention to what is reported.

As a society, Canadians must stop taking for granted clean drinking water and an endless supply and choice of foods as we may become affected by world events or even local calamities such as the Maple Leaf recall.