Mike and All,
Safety issues are top concern at poultry expo
By Shelia M. Poole , The Atlanta
Journal-Constitution
Safety, government regulations, exporting and technology are among the issues facing thousands of poultry producers, processors and equipment makers attending the 50th International Poultry Exposition, which runs
through Friday at the Georgia World Congress Center.
The trade expo, sponsored by the U.S. Poultry & Egg Association, is among the city's largest conventions. While organizers
were still making a count of this year's crowd, the event last year attracted more than 26,000 people.
The convention comes at a time when the poultry industry has come under greater scrutiny on safety issues. Recently in Hong Kong, officials destroyed more than a million chickens after several
people died from a flu strain that has apparently long existed in chickens, but is now believed to be transmitted to humans. There have been no reports of this virus being transmitted to humans in the United States.
A recent analysis of U.S. Department of Agriculture records by Cox Newspapers revealed that hundreds of meat and poultry plants continued to operate despite inspectors' filing tens of thousands of citations for unsanitary conditions and food contamination. According to the newspapers, Georgia ranked third in the nation with the most citations, behind Arkansas and North Carolina.
"The industry is definitely scared," said Jeffrey B. Kuhl, chief operating officer of Kuhl Corp. in Flemington, N.J., one of more than 1,000 exhibitors. He said poultry breeders and processors who visited his booth expressed interest in automated products that cut down on potential safety problems as well as save money.
Many of those attending the convention defended the poultry industry and said it is among the safest in the world.
"I eat it; it's safe," said Keith Nunes, editor of Meat & Poultry Magazine. He said that more and more exhibitors sell products designed to reduce or detect the presence of bacteria in poultry.
"Safety is big business."
So is OZON gentlemen. Hope for a ride soon.
Regards,
Sri |
