FOOD QUALITY

The quality of food has become a problem over the last few years.  Recently the scares with

e. coli and other bacteria in foods has been a big concern.  But, lately there have been scares with chicken nuggets having metal, plastic, and wood in them with large scale recalls.

Today I opened a box of Store Brand Raisin Bran and it has 3 pieces of shiny wicker shreds in it.  Another brand name cereal that was new on the market called ‘chocolate flakes’ became so hard after one use that I broke my filling.

The companies blame it on quality control.  Years ago they asked for the box with the contaminant for their lab to investigate.  Now they don’t do that anymore.  It’s almost like it’s expected.  You just get a refund. 

We have to be alert to these food contamination issues where disabled people are involved who can not distinguish between food and objects that are in their food bowls and dishes.  These objects can break their teeth and cause intestinal upsets.

Cutting up foods is one way to examine the food before serving.  Another way is to be alert to preparing the food and observing what may be in it that would cause health concerns.

We also have to be alert to the dates on food packages.  I have encountered month old packaged fish on the supermarket shelves.  I brought it to the attention of the courtesy desk, but upon my next visit a week later, it was still on the shelf.  Some of these items can become toxic if old. The elderly, disabled, and very young children are most vulnerable who have weak immune systems.

Staff in the group homes have to be alert to any foods sent with the disabled clients to their programs.  I have known of cases where their food was molded or spoiled that was prepared for them in the group home and discovered at the program they attend.  Some programs have alternative food for the clients, like peanut butter and jelly, as long as there is no allergy to peanuts.

We have to protect disabled kids as much as possible from contaminants because they deal with enough from their disability and medications and do not need the added issues from poor quality foods on the market.