There’s been lots of silly statements in the latest Salmonella-in-tomato outbreak. For example, at right is the sign from The Pad in Topeka, Kansas (photo by Stephanie Maurer). I have no idea which Dept. of Ag. inspected the tomatoes, and I’m not sure what they thought they’d find by looking. I’ll be revisiting the risk communication highlights in the coming weeks.

One press release stood out yesterday. Health Canada decided to "remind Canadians of the importance of proper handling and preparation of fresh tomatoes in order to prevent foodborne illness."

Uh-oh. Sure washing can remove some amount of pathogens and dust, but not much. As Robert Tauxe, Deputy Director, Centers for Disease Control Division of Foodborne, Bacterial, and Mycotic Diseases, pointed out at a session sponsored by the New York Academy Of Sciences in April, "Washing might be logical, but it turns out that it removes very few pathogens."

Reminds me of past outbreaks when various groups have tried to advise consumers to control problems that were quite out of their control — like Salmonella in tomatoes (see, pathogens in produce; once inside they ain’t being washed off at all).

The Health Canada effort concludes by stating

"… there are as many as 13 million cases of food-related illnesses in Canada every year. Many of these illnesses could be prevented by following proper food handling and preparation techniques."

Why do the PR thingies feel it necessary to add on such a meaningless statement about proper handling and preparation in an outbreak that does not appear to involve food handling and preparation? Food safety for produce begins on the farm, and then all the way through the farm-to-fork system. But especially, for fresh produce, on the farm. Canadian taxpayers deserve better.