Foodborne pathogens and pork production: what is our Achilles' heel?

摘要

The issue of food safety has been regularly served up at scientific meetings around the country since the 'Jack-in-the-Box' outbreak of E. coli O157:H7 in 1993. Consumer confidence in the food supply has been shaken and highly publicized recalls of contaminated meat products do little to restore it. Through this era of politicization of food safety, the US pork industry has kept out of the headlines - at least on this issue. But has this been good management or good luck? Current record pork supplies and abysmal market prices for hogs make the industry particularly vulnerable to an epidemic of consumer doubts about pork safety. We remain but one outbreak away from a possible public relations nightmare, wondering when our number will come up and our Achille's heel will be exposed! But how much should we be concerned - and are their things to do to prevent it?