Harrisburg, August 16, 2011 – State Senator Judy Schwank (D-Berks), Democratic chair of the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Rural Affairs, has asked federal regulators for an explanation of the delay in the recent recall of contaminated turkey products until consumers were sickened and died.
“It is dumbfounding to learn that no action was taken until this month, when federal officials knew at least as early as March that turkey processed at the plant in question repeatedly tested positive for Salmonella,” said Schwank (D-Berks). “This is a common, antibiotic-resistant strain that we know poses unacceptable risks of sickness and death. It is just mind-boggling that federal regulators cannot or will not step in before what we know can happen actually does.”
Schwank, who has a lengthy background as a county agricultural agent and educator, said she has asked for an explanation of the events, which reports say claimed at least one life, from the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the federal Food and Drug Administration.
“It’s not clear yet why this happened, or what role states can play to prevent a repetition, but with Agriculture being the largest industry in Pennsylvania, we need to have answers to those questions for consumers and farmers alike,” Schwank said. “There are lives and livelihoods at stake here. This isn’t some academic game. It’s real life. If there is a role for states, we want to make sure we meet it.”
Schwank said she also is reaching out to Pennsylvania members in Congress to assist her in order to make sure the matter will not be ignored by the agencies.
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