Smithfield's China deal spurs heparin heart drug safety concerns

[haikuman]

http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/07/2...IL20130725

By Toni Clarke
WASHINGTON | Thu Jul 25, 2013 7:22pm EDT
(Reuters) - U.S. lawmakers are concerned a Chinese company's planned $4.7 billion acquisition of pork producer Smithfield Foods Inc could affect the safety and availability of heparin, a blood-thinner widely used in heart surgery and kidney dialysis that is derived from pig intestines.

Members of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce wrote to Smithfield on July 24 asking the company to turn over information on its production of crude heparin, the raw ingredient used to make the drug.

In a letter to Smithfield's Chief Executive Larry Pope, six Republican committee members said the proposed acquisition of Smithfield by Shuanghui International Holdings "raises questions related to the safety and adequacy of the U.S. heparin supply."

[samintx]

I raised this question a few months ago when the proposed sale was proposed. Not about Heparin but general food safety. I have since read articles by Smithfield that the company would stay the same only under new ownership. All production the same.

I don't believe it! The Chinese are notorious for shoddy food production and to make money you know they would make cuts here and there at Smithfield. I say, keep the Chinese out of our food supply!

[cbelt3]

samintx-
Technically operation of the factories here in the US is under the quality control of the FDA, no matter who owns the company. Food imported into this country is also under the auspices of the FDA.

Reality ? Self-inspection allows corners to be cut (because that's where the profit is), and poor staffing levels in the FDA itself caused by Congressional funding levels (and America's desire for lower taxes) has produced more and more opportunities for food-borne illness outbreaks.

We get the government we're willing to pay for.

[gabester]

cbelt3 wrote:
Reality ? Self-inspection allows corners to be cut (because that's where the profit is), and poor staffing levels in the FDA itself caused by Congressional funding levels (and America's desire for lower taxes) has produced more and more opportunities for food-borne illness outbreaks.

Not to mention the general anti-regulatory attitude amongst elements of our government elected from outside major urban areas which declare, "We don't need regulations - let the markets decide!"

That sounds great, but I suspect they never read Upton Sinclair's "The Jungle" about what things were like back in the days when markets did decide food safety and consumers regularly suffered. Food safety is one area that should be beefed up with greater oversight, more staffing, and more research.

[Dennis S]

"the company would stay the same only under new ownership. All production the same."

That's what they all say.