Origins

I would like to take a quick moment to say that, although our food system is in a bad state of dis-repair, I am thankful to be living in the United States of America, and I am extremely grateful that our domestic food news is not quite as disturbing as the following three articles from the NY Times.  It is very important, however, that we read our labels and know where our food comes from.  Please take a few minutes to read these eye-opening articles.  They are listed chronologically in the order they appeared.

A Tide of Death, but This Time Food Supply Is Safe

Rat Meat Sold as Lamb Highlights Fear in China

China’s Food Deal Extends Its Reach, Already Mighty

I would like to highlight a section from the last article:

"The United States government has continued to have concerns about Chinese food exports, with a Congressional hearing this month that was billed as “The Threat of China’s Unsafe Consumables” as the latest example. 'The health and safety, not only of the United States and Europe but that of people around the world, has come to be dependent on the quality of goods imported from China,' Dana Rohrabacher, a California Republican who heads the House Subcommittee on Europe, Eurasia and Emerging Threats, said in opening the hearing. 'Yet the task of inspecting and testing Chinese goods is beyond the ability of governments, considering the magnitude of that challenge.'

Imported foods sold in groceries and other food stores must be labeled with their country of origin, but a substantial portion of imports end up in restaurant and food service meals, where consumers have no idea of their source.

Additionally, once imported foods are processed in any way, such labeling is no longer required under government regulations.

Thus, frozen imported peas and carrots would require a label if packaged separately, but mixed together and sold in a single package, they do not need labeling, Ms. Lovera said. Fish fillets must carry labeling, but imported fish sticks or crab patties do not." 
China’s Food Deal Extends Its Reach, Already Mighty - by Stephanie Strom, May 29, 2013, NY Times

Something to think about the next time you're buying groceries.