The FDA Just Keeps Getting Nuttier

A news report published today warns U.S. consumers about a possible salmonella outbreak affecting pistachios.

We avoid these tree nuts anyway--they're one of my daughter's "top 5" foods to avoid. But come on--what is going on? How can any of us feel safe to eat anything anymore, much less those of us with food allergies who rely so heavily on accurate labels and safe food practices.

The only silver lining is that this type of outbreak makes the non-allergic take time to think that foods can cause severe, immediate illness and even death. For some reason, that is not something people readily accept with regard to food allergies. But with salmonella? Many more people will be sitting up and taking notice.

Also, the fact that these outbreaks are being found in nuts? So ironic to me. Especially when I think of some of the more lame arguments we read/hear about that say we are making FA up in our heads. For ex., how many times have you all heard this one: "Allergies to nuts can't be real or at least so common. We didn't have nut allergies when I was in school."

Now apply the same "logic" to the recent salmonella outbreaks. Doesn't sound very good, does it? Just because something didn't occur in the past with foods doesn't mean it can't happen now.

The lesson is to eat minimally processed, whole foods as much as you can. Obviously, FDA practices need a major overhaul. And, ironically, it might be salmonella outbreaks in nuts that finally get some positive changes made.