FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  May 4, 2007

Eating Should Not Require a Detective’s Skill and Nerves of Steel

GREAT FALLS, MT (May 4, 2007) – The Montana Farmers Union (MFU) today calls for government and individual action to ensure a safe food supply.

For the past month, headlines about pet food tainted with deadly toxic chemicals have sent pet owners scrambling to ensure the health of their dogs and cats.  More recently, it was revealed that the toxic pet food made it into the human food chain as feed to chickens and pigs.

“Eating should not require the skill of a detective nor nerves of steel,” said MFU President Alan Merrill.  “Americans deserve a high level of confidence in food they feed their family.”

The FDA and USDA have said that the likelihood of human illness from eating chicken and pigs fed the contaminated feed is low, but MFU believes that poor funding and inadequate inspection yield predictable results.  The FDA, itself, estimates that almost 99 percent of imported foods are not inspected:  they are acknowledged by computer and allowed on shore.

Montana Farmers Union calls all Montanans to action.

First, write Congress and express concern about the FDA, their mission and funding – and while you’re at it, demand immediate implementation of country-of-origin labeling.

Second, become an amateur detective and read labels carefully.

Third, eat fewer processed foods, and when you do, choose carefully.

And, finally, eat closer to home.  Whenever possible buy from local farmers, ranchers and market gardeners whose animal husbandry and farming methods you support.

“If you are concerned about food safety,” said Merrill, “get active and be a part of the solution.  Country-of-origin labeling is a good place to start.”

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