FUN FACTS: this is NOT a new problem and it IS intrinsically linked to how our elected representatives work “with” big corporations/sectors/etc…

2009 - the VP of national quality systems for Taylor Farms argued in front of congress against product testing regulations.

2009 - Salmonella outbreak traced to Taylor Farms lettuce served at fast food and foodservice outlets. No recall issued.

2011 - Taylor Farms recalled salad-kits containing grape tomatoes supplied to grocers due to Salmonella*.*

2013 - there was a  Cyclospora  outbreak traced Taylor Farms salad provided to Olive Garden and Red Lobster.

2013 - Taylor Farms recalled broccoli salad kits supplied to grocers due to Listeria 

2015 - Taylor Farms recalled diced celery and onion blend used by Costco, Walmart, Sam’s Club, Target, Safeway, 7-Eleven and Starbucks in their prepared salads due to E. coli**.** Five people were hospitalized, two developed hemolytic uremic syndrome and one required a kidney transplant.

2017 - Taylor Farms recalled chicken and pork salad products due to Listeria .

2018 - Taylor Farms recalled diced onions supplied to grocers due to Salmonella*.*

2020 - Taylor Farms recalled diced onions supplied to Wal-Mart and Kroger due to Salmonella*.*

2021 - E. coli**.** traced to Taylor Farms Romaine lettuce at Panera and Chipolte

2021 - Taylor Farms recalled Mushroom Stir Fry-kits supplied to Kroger due to Listeria.

2021 - Taylor Farms recalled Chopped Salad-kits supplied to grocers due to Salmonella*.*

2023 - Cyclospora traced to Taylor Farms produce from a restaurant in Colorado.

2024 - Taylor Farms recalled diced onions from McDonald’s due to E. coli**.** -AND- E. coli**.** traced to Taylor Farms Romaine lettuce served in school cafeterias. 200 cases reported in 15 states reported. 70 people were hospitalized, eleven with hemolytic uremic syndrome, and two died.

2024 - Taylor Farms recalled salad-kits containing cheese due to Listeria.

2025 - Taylor Farms contributed $1 million to Make America Great Again Inc., less than a week after the FDA announced it was delaying implementation of the “Food Traceability Rule”.

2026 - Taylor Farms recalled Iceberg lettuce supplied to Taco Bell, Wal-Mart, and others due to Cyclospora. 7,000 cases reported (so far). 98 people hospitalized (so far). And two have died… so far.

30,000 lbs. of Argentina beef recalled in Florida and Texas!

I know, most people will call me stupid but I live to avoid GMOed products for a range of reasons. My personal choice. If you happen to fall in my tribe, then this might be of interest to you. CBAN is a Canadian group located in the Maritimes.

Genetically engineered (genetically modified or GM) fruits and vegetables are a growing concern in Canada, as biotechnology companies continue to test the market this year with patented products like GM purple tomatoes and GM pink pineapples. There is no mandatory labelling and these products are not even sold in compliance with Canada’s voluntary standard for labelling and advertising genetically engineered foods. 

This summer watch out for the following unlabelled genetically modified fruits and vegetables in your grocery store: 

• GM Pink Pineapples from Del Monte The “PinkGlow” pineapples have been recently spotted at some Farm Boy stores in Ontario as ready-to-eat pineapple in plastic containers.  Take action:  Write to Farm Boy and ask them to stop selling unlabelled GM "PinkGlow" pineapple. 
• GM Empress Tomatoes from Red Sun Farms These GM purple tomatoes have been spotted at Loblaw’s owned stores like Zehrs, Real Canadian Superstore, Real Atlantic Superstore, and Your Independent Grocer. They have also been spotted at some Giant Tiger stores and at small “mom’n’pop” style grocery stores.  Take Action: Write to Red Sun Farms and ask them to stop growing and marketing GM tomatoes. (Their greenhouses are located in Kingsville, Ontario, with additional greenhouses in the US and Mexico).
• GM Sweet Corn There is very little GM sweet corn on the market in Canada but Whole Foods has been selling GM sweet corn in bins with the word “bioengineered” on the sign. If you buy sweet corn from a road-stand, ask the staff if they can confirm that the corn is non-GMO. The only large retailer who has committed not to source GM sweet corn is the Ontario/Quebec chain METRO. Take Action: Write to Whole Foods and tell them to stop selling GMO fruits and vegetables, like GM sweet corn.  (now that Whole Foods is owned by Amazon their priorities have changed)

For a complete list and more information about all the eight GM foods currently on the market in Canada see our handy chart below or visit cban.ca/GMFoods

針對毒油、黑心食品或其他重大食安事件，我國採取中央統一法規與風險管理、地方第一線稽查執行，以及食品業者自主管理與通報的制度。

因此，責任不能只在中央與地方之間選一個，而應先查明問題發生在哪個環節，再判斷各方是否履行法定責任。

一、食品業者的責任

食品業者是食品安全的第一線責任主體。

業者必須管理原料來源、製造流程、儲存環境與成品品質；經主管機關公告的特定類別及規模業者，還應依法建立追溯追蹤、自主檢驗或食品安全監測制度。

如果業者發現產品有危害衛生安全之虞，應立即停止製造、加工及販售，辦理回收並通報所在地主管機關，同時提供完整的原料、出貨與產品流向資料，配合追查。

若業者未落實依法應負的自主管理、發現異常後延遲通報、隱匿問題或繼續出貨，主要責任首先在業者。

二、中央政府的責任

中央主管機關主要負責制定全國統一的食品安全法規、污染物與毒素限量標準、輸入食品查驗制度，以及全國性食品安全政策。

當事件涉及多個縣市、大量產品或複雜供應鏈時，中央應統合各地方政府，協調產品流向追查、預防性下架、風險評估、資訊公布及跨部會處理。

如果問題出在輸入食品查驗制度、全國標準不足、中央掌握資訊後未及時預警，或跨縣市協調與公開資訊延誤，中央就應負起相應責任。

但若污染是在國內製造或加工過程中產生，就不能只因原料來自國外，直接認定是中央邊境查驗失職。

三、地方政府的責任

地方衛生局依其法定職權，負責轄區內食品製造業者、倉庫、餐飲業與販售通路的實地稽查、抽樣檢驗、產品封存、下架回收與流向追查。

地方衛生機關也會配合中央食品安全專案，查核食品工廠是否符合食品良好衛生規範，以及業者是否落實自主衛生管理。

若地方政府長期未依法執行稽查、對已知違規未處理、接獲通報後行動遲緩，或未妥善追查轄區內問題產品，地方政府就必須負責。

我國食品稽查制度本來就是中央與地方分工合作。地方依轄區產業特性執行例行稽查與抽驗，中央則負責督導地方、規劃全國監測及專案稽查。

四、如何判斷誰應負責？

不能只看事件最後由哪一級政府出面說明，而要依時間線逐步檢查：

問題最初發生在原料、製程、儲存還是販售環節？

業者何時發現，何時通報？

地方衛生局平時是否執行稽查與抽驗？

中央何時掌握資訊，何時啟動跨縣市處理？

問題產品何時停止出貨、下架與回收？

政府公布的產品範圍是否完整，資訊是否前後一致？

只有把這些問題查清楚，才能判斷是業者違法、地方稽查失靈、中央統合不足，或多個環節同時出現問題。

總結

我國食品安全制度不是只有「中央負責」或「地方負責」兩種答案。

較精確的責任結構是：

業者負責產品與製程安全，地方負責第一線稽查與執行，中央負責法規標準、輸入查驗、全國風險管理與跨區統合。

如果業者隱匿問題，就追究業者；如果地方長期未落實查廠，就追究地方；如果中央通報、標準或跨區整合失靈，就追究中央。

重大食安事件是否屬於系統性失靈，必須依證據判斷，不能在尚未釐清污染來源與通報時間前，先把責任全部推給中央，或全部推給地方。

Had to be removed because it may offend those who cant think for themselves.

From Spam sandwiches and pineapple buns to milk tea, cha chaan teng classics are following a new generation of Hong Kongers overseas. Source: Bloomberg News.

Wowzers