Sludge Watch ==> Salmonella spinach from Texas - Queen Victoria Spinach

[Maureen Reilly]

Sludgewatch Admin:

Hmmm....after the recent California ecoli spinach outbreak Canada-based 
'Queen Victoria Spinach' hired a PR firm to cajole Canadian consumers into 
buying fresh spinach again...This PR campaign was considered a success. Look 
at these industry kudos for a 'touchdown'.

However, while the Canadian Food Inspection Agency opened the doors to US 
spinach that was not from San Benito or Monterey County Calif, more 
contaminated US spinach has entered Canada.

Representatives from Queen Victoria Spinach state that the spinach tested by 
the CFIA and found positive for salmonella came from Texas.

Maybe we need more food safety, less PR spin.

In the story below this one, the Heshey chocolate plant hit with salmonella 
problems from contaminated soy lecithin is reopening.  As I understanding 
it,
the CFIA never named the facility that provided the salmonella contaminated 
soy product.  (And yes...you can sludge up your soy fields with no waiting 
period).

..................................................

Here is the PR industry brag sheet on encouraging Canada to eat raw spinach 
after the outbreak:

http://www.touchdownsandfumbles.com/resources/newsletters.jhtml?id=23966

TOUCHDOWN
Ontario spinach makes a comeback


Spinach has always gotten a bad rap from children, but for the last few 
months, it hasn't been on anyone's wish list. E-Coli, yum . Well, that 
little scare is behind the industry and wise communicators began reassuring 
the media that Ontario Spinach was safe. In communications terms, the 
product enjoys lots of goodwill with the media, so a call to action in the 
industry this week was well received. For example, Wednesday's Toronto Star 
included a half page of spinach recipes from Queen Victoria Spinach. At 
Veritas, we tell our clients that crisis communications is about protecting 
your brand and, after the fire is out, rebuilding the house. Our Ingredients 
team will tell you that nutritious and easy recipes are a great way to 
achieve that goal. Ontario spinach growers have intelligently moved to 
rebuild the popularity of spinach and their brand. The border may still be 
closed, but Ontario spinach is on the rebound. And nary a Popeye joke to be 
found .

....................................................

Salmonella-affected Hershey plant to re-open
Updated Fri. Dec. 1 2006 4:59 PM ET

Canadian Press

OTTAWA -- Workers at a Hershey chocolate plant in eastern Ontario that was 
closed due to a salmonella scare will soon be back on the job.

Hershey spokeswoman Stephanie Moritz says full operations are expected to 
resume at the Smiths Falls plant next week, with a "significant number of 
employees'' going back to work on Monday.

Fears of salmonella contamination prompted a recall of a variety of popular 
chocolate bars and candies nearly three weeks ago.

Hershey determined a soy ingredient shipped exclusively to the Smiths Falls 
plant was contaminated with salmonella.

The ingredient, soy lecithin, is used to help chocolate flow more easily 
during manufacturing.

Moritz says the company will be getting future supplies of the ingredient 
from a new supplier.

"All equipment and production lines at the plant were sanitized just to 
ensure that our facility meets our high quality standards,'' Moritz said 
from the company's main office in Pennsylvania.

"In addition, we will be using another source of soy lecithin that has been 
tested and approved for use.''

http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20061201/hershey_plant_061201?s_name=&no_ads=