By Warren Green
It seems to me the U.S. Food supply chain is in dire straits. As a food safety expert, my concern is where our food is coming from and how our safety is being assured. About a couple of decades ago Congress rescinded the “Country of Origin” labeling requirement. The first time that I can find in my research that a law was rescinded.
The U.S. Imports over 50% of its national food supply chain from over 170 countries, including primarily: Mexico, Canada, France, Italy, Singapore, all subject to 15% tariffs.
The USDA/ FSIS now depends upon an inspection system based on an equivalency model rather than plant by plant inspections. Foreign exporters now must inspect their own plants, certify which plants can export to the U.S., and enforce compliance internally.
The United States primary food suppliers include Mexico, Canada, and France. It seems that the U.S. Tariff price war is against the aforementioned. If we have to depend upon the aforementioned countries to enforce compliance, I have no idea how that’s supposed to work. Are we to trust adversarial competitors?
I believe the American consumer, particularly in our region, should seriously consider locating and patronizing farmers and farmers’ markets. I no longer have confidence in the AGRICULTURE CERIFIED ORGANIC SYSTEM. I believe the system is flawed because of its use of third-party which makes organic products much more expensive. Considering the source of the product, I don’t believe certified organic is a good return on investment.
Support your local farmer.
Finally, I will be publishing my memoirs in the near future. It will be titled “RETURN TO THE ALBAMARLE, subtitled ‘memoirs of a black federal bureaucrat”.
YOU ARE WHAT YOU EAT, LET FOOD BE YOUR MEDICINE
