Is Our Food System Safe?

A rash of food-borne illnesses and recalls in the last five months — including a listeria outbreak in cucumbers — has consumers and experts both questioning the safety of the U.S. food system. (Photo Credit: Vitalii Makarov from Getty Images) By Jennifer Porter Gore This article was originally published on& Word In Black. Deli cold cuts. Ready-to-eat meat, precooked chicken and prepared meals. Organic carrots, slivered onions sprinkled on fast-food hamburgers. The list of processed or packaged foods manufacturers have recalled since the summer, due to dangerous bacterial contaminations, would make an epic feast, if consuming them weren’t so dangerous.& Since July, dozens of people have died and several dozens more have been hospitalized after consuming food tainted with E. coli and listeria, two potentially deadly food-borne bacteria. Government inspectors found tainted food in produce as well as processed meats and chicken, in breakfast items as well as lunch and dinner products.& With news of yet another recall — this time, more than 6,000 pounds of Asian flavored, ready-to-eat meat and poultry products prepared by YuShang Food Inc. of Spartanburg, South Carolina —& it poses the question: is our food system really safe?& The answer depends on whom you ask.&...