HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Goderich Signal-Star, 2009-07-29, Page 6age 6 - Goderich Signal -Star, Wednesday, July 29, 2009
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kDITORIAL
Government must restore
faith in national food safety
After hundreds of illnesses, 22 deaths, and class-action law-
suits, .the independent report on last year's listeriosis crisis
doesn't do much to instill a .feeling of well being,
Investigator• Sheila Weatherill found: government depart-
ments couldn't figure out who was supposed to take the lead
on the outbreak; after more than 100 interviews, she still
couldn't figure out how many inspectors the Canadian Food
Inspection Agency (CTIA) has or needs (the agriculture minis-
ter seems to have the same problem); Health Canada's health
risk assessment team was not working on a 24/7 basis during
the summer, resulting in .gaps in. coverage during the emer-
gency; and there were no guidelines in place for plant employ-
ees to alert inspectors to past findings of listeria at the affected
plant, nor were CFIA inspectors obligated to ask for such test
results.
All this at a time when listeriosis cases are on the rise.
Weatherill noted that since 2005, the number of Canadian
listeriosis cases reported annually has doubled. The numbers
suggest that a system designed to protect the public is simply
not functioning or working .properly.
Canadians need to have confidence in the food safety proto-
cols
rotocols and initiatives that are in place.
After last year, however, and now, after reading the details
about what led to last year's crisis, it's safe to bet many do
not. In fact, if nothing else, the listeriosis outbreak has served
to shed light on a serious defect in the Canadian system of
food inspection and its ability to react to and report any prob-
lems.
Clearly, government agencies at every level need to figure
out who's responsible for food safety issues and public health
as it relates to food -borne illness and outbreaks.
That will help to address one of the more important findings
of Weatherill's report, that communications about the outbreak
"to the public were slow off the mark, and were not sustained
for sufficient period of time:
There's no question that Canadians expect and deserve a bet-
ter system of reporting and accountability. It's important to
people's health and well being.
If people are to make proper decisions about the food they
eat, they need the proper information when there is a crisis.
The listeriosis outbreak not only had serious consequences
for Maple Leaf's finances and its credibility and reputation
with the food -buying public, the incident caused many
Canadians to lose confidence in various levels of government
to manage food crises that threaten public health.
That is a confidence that needs to be restored.
The sooner the better., Sun Media
The Goderidt Signal -Stan
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CNIB applauds efforts of
dedicated local volunteers
To the Editor,
On behalf of the Western Region of the CNIB
and the clients we serve, I wish to congratulate
the dedicated volunteers of Goderich and Huron
County who coordinated the successful Walk To-
wards Independence held in Goderich, Saturday,
June 29.
Now in its 12th year, the walk was once again
a great success, raising much needed funds for
client programs and services.
Walkers who took part were treated to a lovely
walk on the Menesetung Trail and raised almost
$5,000.
You will be interested to learn that all monies
raised at the walk go directly back to support the
local CNIB that provides vital programs and ser-
vices for people who are blind or are living with
vision loss in Huron County.
In 2008, CNIB with the support of this com-
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519-524-2614
519-524-5145
Dave Sykes
Dominique Milburn
Gerard Creces
Denny Scott
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munity, provided 900 hours of client service to
245 clients with vision loss. Services included
orientation and mobility training; independent
living services; the monthly Lions low vision
clinic which takes place on the second Thursday
of each month at the Suncoast Mall and the CNIB
New Horizons, New Dreams peer support group
that began running in Huron County last year.
Thank you to the volunteers in Goderich for
their tireless efforts. While times may be tough,
clearly the spirit of community giving is alive
and well.
Yours in philanthropy,
Sherry Malcho
Associate director of
service and operations, CNIB
Judy Austin
Rhonda Butt
Mary Johnston
Janet Shrier
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Keith Moreland
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Kevin Shrier
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