Global Food Collaborative

I had high hopes for Senator John Edwards.    Unfortunately, he had a dirty little secret (as apparently did Tiger Woods).   The difference of many of the "transgressions" that have been made public over the past years, is that John Edwards secrets were so slowly and painfully released, as if to keep his now poor name in the spotlight.   He just couldn't or wouldn't admit that not only had he been unfaithful to his wife, he had repeatidely lied to her and the general public.   He invited in the press and had a nearly complete campain about his innocence.    When he fell from grace, he fell hard.    I have no idea who trusts his word now, but I would have a very difficult time doing so - ever.

I believe people do not "change their spots".    Once they exhibit certain behaviors and characteristics, it is a rare person who takes on significant changes later in their life.

I am concerned that the food industry doesn't take on the John Edwards approach of holding back the truth until it is painfully uncovered, one morsel at a time.    Take this Consumer Reports Video Story on poultry where it is disclosed that up to 30% of chicken and turkey in weight in broth, flavoring solutions or salt-water.   Consumer Reports Magazine also just released a "How Safe Is That Chicken Report"  last week, that states their study shows two-thirds of fresh whole broiler chickens tested by Consumer Reports in 22 states contained salmonella and/or campylobacter bacteria.  (According to that same report......Air-chilled organic birds (especially store-brand birds) fared best. Among name brands, Perdue's were cleanest while 80 percent of Tyson and Foster Farms chix registered for one or both pathogens.)    

"What would you like with your Salmonella for dinner sweetie?"

The more I've read about this, the more I am becoming a flaming lunatic at home when I see raw poultry on the counter as I don't want the cross-contamination with other foods.    The fear is real.  Who wants to be sick?   Who can afford to be ill?   The bottom line is that food is supposed to be nourishment for a healthy mind and body not nourishment for illness.  

There is a lot written about how smart the consumer is getting these days.     They don't even need the National Enquirer Publication to do investigative reporting on food.   We've got the intenet, government agencies who are getting bolder about reporting indiscretions, whistle blowers, naturopaths, smart phone applications, books galore, movies, experts writing blogs and stories that get published big time and consumers of all natural food stores, farmers markets and CSA's.      

It is painful to watch the daily transgressions of some in the food industry that have their eyes and ears closed - hoping this will all just go away.     It won't.      

I was blown away a few years ago, watching in person, a case of industry "professionals" trying to hide from the public the truth about their food.    My advice then - come clean and be proactive.   Protect your customers and show them the ways you are providing the best quality product that they can rely on without much question.    My advice remains the same today.

It must be a pretty tough life holding secrets (or misrepresentations) and watching them come out in slow motion, over several years, like the John Edwards saga.     In that case, a few people were relentless to expose the story.

In the case of food, there are 308,000,000+ US consumers of US food, alone.     The US food industry likely touches the majority of the world's 6 billion consumers.  There is no doubt that these consumers are becoming more concerned about their food.

Hey, beyond coming clean, those who have something to hide in the food business have a chance to be a transparent and proactive leader.       That effort alone, could create hundred's of thousands of innovative/smart jobs.    

At the minimum it would be less painful then the slow leaking of stories like Consumer Reports just released.