Two disturbing tales from the world of food

First, you've heard of high fructose corn syrup (HFCS)?  It's a sweetener that, by virtue of being cheaper than sugar, has replaced it in everything from soda pop (sweetness) to bread products (for texture) to frozen foods (for preservation). Oh, and HFCS contains mercury.  Seems that despite an alternative production method that avoids mercury contamination, most HFCS producers don't bother.  Great.

Like peanut butter?  How about when you get a peanut butter product with salmonella?  Turns out the plant that kicked out contaminated spread that has sickened many and killed several had found contamination several times before, and shipped the product anyway.

The [just-completed inspection] report describes a plant that was not constructed to produce safe food. “There were open gaps observed” near air-conditioner intakes that were as large as a half-inch by two and one-half feet long, the report stated. Previous inspections of the plant by the Georgia State Agriculture Department found dirty surfaces, grease residue and dirt buildup throughout the plant. They also found rust residue that could flake into food, gaps in warehouse doors large enough for rodents to enter, and numerous other problems.

 Mmm, PBSJ sandwich...