As a service to my (5) readers, I’m posting a couple food recalls that may be of interest. Just another horrific entry in my Diary of the Unsafe US Food Supply (informaiton courtesy www.recalls.gov):
- Unilever United States, Inc. is voluntarily recalling Knorr® Kosher Soup Mix – Chicken Vegetable Flavor with Pasta imported from Israelbecause it contains undeclared egg. Persons who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to egg run the risk of a serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume this product. The recall was initiated after it was discovered that product containing egg was distributed in packaging that did not reveal the presence of egg. The company is placing a notification on the Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network (FAAN) web site www.foodallergy.org and notifying FAAN’s individual members. No other Knorr products are affected by this recall.
- From a press release issued by Nestlé USA: Nestlé USA’s Baking Division is initiating a voluntary recall of Nestlé® TOLL HOUSE® refrigerated cookie dough products. Nestlé is taking this action out of an abundance of caution after being notified that the Food and Drug Administration, together with the Centers for Disease Control, are conducting an investigation into reported E. coli 0157:H7 illnesses that may be related to consumption of raw cookie dough. A number of consumers reporting illness reported consuming raw Nestlé TOLL HOUSE refrigerated cookie dough. No other Nestlé TOLL HOUSE products are impacted, including already baked TOLL HOUSE cookies purchased outside the home, all varieties of Nestlé TOLL HOUSE morsels, chocolate baking bars, or cocoa, and Dreyer’s and Edy’s ice cream products with Nestlé TOLL HOUSE cookie dough ingredients. Consumers who have purchased these products should not consume them. Consumers are invited to contact Nestlé Consumer Services at 1-800-559-5025 or www.verybestbaking.com. The products involved in the voluntary recall include all varieties of Nestlé TOLL HOUSE refrigerated Cookie Bar Dough, Cookie Dough Tub; Cookie Dough Tube; Limited Edition Cookie Dough items; Seasonal Cookie Dough and Ultimates Cookie Bar Dough.
Speaking of our unsafe food supply, it’s worth noting that last weekend saw the limited release of Food, Inc., a new documentary film that exposes the seamy underbelly of our nation’s food industry. It features Michael Pollan (one of may favorite authors: The Omnivore’s Dilemma; In Defense of Food) and Eric Schlosser (Fast Food Nation). This movie promises that “you’ll never look at dinner the same way again”. It’s a call to action: demand better food for yourself and your family! It’s terrible how bad things have gotten (see food recalls above!). I’m a little disturbed that it’s not showing anywhere NEAR me, but I plan on seeing it as soon as it gets anywhere close. Enjoy the trailer below, and check out the website to see how you can join the fight for better food.
Life at Goal 
Okay, just to play devil’s advocate here…I’m not impressed with the unsafeness of the U.S. food supply from these two recalls. Knorr recalling something that is mislabeled, while bad for those with egg allergies (I’m not disputing that), is not exactly dangerous to consume for your average Joe.
The Toll House cookie dough recall is understandable, but still, everyone knows that when you eat raw dough you run the risk of food poisoning…raw eggs and all. Isn’t there even a warning on the packaging to that effect? Or maybe I’m confussed and the people who got sick actually baked the dough first, the recall is unclear.
That being said, I agree that the U.S. food supply is less than optimum, but I don’t think that these two recalls necessarily underscore that point.
Just my opinion, feel free to disagree. :>)
You’re right, Marlene – these are not outrageous examples. I guess my point is that there are numerous recalls every day, and this is what worries me. Many recent recalls (spinach, peanut butter) are egregious, and those are troubling.
Another thing that is worrisome to me is that most people completely ignore these recalls, or the information just never gets to them.
Finally, I really hate the fact that it’s dangerous to eat raw cookie dough. 😦
I know how you feel about the cookie dough.