SAFETY IMPROVING
In response to Open Forum letters in the May 30 and June 6 issues with concerns about irradiation, it is important to understand that Canadian beef packing plants have progressively and effectively modified their processes over time to reduce the levels of harmful bacteria contamination on product.
A recent Public Health Agency of Canada report indicated that the number of food-borne E. coli O157 infections had declined by 68 percent between 1998 and 2011.
Ongoing research funded by the national checkoff and Canada’s beef cattle industry science cluster is underway to identify ways to continuously improve packing plant practices to not only remove E. coli from the carcass but also to prevent re-contamination of the beef trim and cuts as the beef is processed by ensuring that personal equipment, conveyor belts, etc., are effectively cleaned.
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Irradiation will only help to further reduce this risk.
E-beam irradiation is scientifically proven safe for food use at absorbed doses up to 60 kGy.
Recently completed research funded through the Beef Cattle Research Council found that low dose — one kGy — e-beam treatment can effectively control E. coli O157:H7, non-O157 VTEC (Verotoxigenic E. coli) and salmonella in fresh beef trim under normal processing conditions with no significant effect on colour, aroma, texture, juiciness, nutrition or flavour.
Irradiation of beef trim is an effective food safety intervention that offers an additional layer of protection against food safety pathogens.
More information on E. coli, irradiation and other food safety measures for beef is available at www.beefresearch.ca.
Reynold Bergen, PhD
science director, Beef Cattle Research Council, Calgary
TKACHUK SHOULD GO
With so much discussion surrounding the state of the Senate, I think part of the focus should centre on the personal conduct of the senators — specifically the allegations senator David Tkachuk, the chair of internal economy, leaked confidential information to senators which his committee was investigating.
If this is the case, the prime minister should have the honesty and integrity to dismiss that senator. If the chair of the review committee cannot keep information in confidence, what example does this set for the other senators or the institution?
In my experience, senator Tkachuk’s latest behaviour is not unusual.
In the fall of 2011, I was part of a group of farmers who meet with Tkachuk to discuss the Canadian Wheat Board issue. He specifically raised the contention that the CWB was not willing to meet with (federal agriculture) minister Gerry Ritz. I asked the senator where he got that information and he said minister Ritz.
I replied that the CWB had specifically sent three written letters to minister Ritz asking for an audience, which Ritz did not have the courtesy to reply to.
I even followed up by sending copies of those letters to senator Tkachuk’s office, from which I received confirmation of receipt.
So when minister Ritz testified before a committee, in which senator Tkachuk was a member, and the minister spouted off about not being allowed to attend a CWB meeting, I fully expected Tkachuk to do his duty and question the minister.
He had written confirmation that minister Ritz was, at best, not telling the whole story and, at worst, was attempting to mislead the committee. But Tkachuk sat like a mouse.
Senators are supposed to show “sober second thought,” and this incident shows some of them should resign and be put out to pasture.
Kyle Korneychuk,
Pelly, Sask.
