Jon
Posting 2
Topic: Health
Writer: Greg Botelho
Publication Name: CNN
Date of Publication: October 21, 2010
Length: 650 words
Last month the Texas Department of State Health Services shut down the Sangar Produce and Processing plant due to bacteria being found in Sangar's celery and other products. Listeria monocytogenes, a severe strain of bacteria, was found in state laboratory tests. So far four people have died after consuming Sangar celery and ten have contracted serious health issues. Authorities have ordered the company to recall all its products that have come from it's plant in San Antonio, Texas since January. Sangar questioned the findings and denied any sanitary malpractice. President of Sangar, Kenneth Sanquist said "the independent testing shows our produce to be absolutely safe, and we are aggressively fighting the state's erroneous findings". Nevertheless, authorities also found a condensation leak near the food area, dirt on the food preparation table and hand washing problems amongst employees.
In conclusion Texas authorities found various health issues with the Sangar Produce and Processing plant in San Antonio. Chief among them was the presence of listeria monocytogenes, a dangerous bacteria, on their celery. Four people have already died from this contaminated celery and others have fallen ill. Although Sangar denies any health issues, authorities have recalled all Sangar's products shipped out since January.
In my opinion the Texas Department of State Health Services is doing the right thing shutting down the plant. Contaminated food is too dangerous to have floating around. Even though the recall will cost Sangar lots of money, it is better to recall their products and check them just to be safe.
I think it's good that places like the Sangar plant are being shut down. I would hope that more food safety checks are performed around the country to make sure plants that perform dangerous violations are shut down before harm could come to consumers.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Michael on having more food safety checks when it comes to vegetables. Also the government is doing the right thing by shutting down the company. If the bacteria spread all over America it could be dangerous.
ReplyDeleteThis makes me feel concerned about the food I eat on a daily basis. Perhaps we should all live off of our own organic gardens and hope that no bacteria slips into them. It's scary to see that this bacteria has such a harsh effect; four people passing away is a large amount for a sanitation error in one company.
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