Editor’s note: If you had a magic wand, how would you conjure up ways to make the food supply safe? We asked several people to consider the possibilities. Here is another response, from Phyllis Entis, author, food safety microbiologist and editor of eFoodAlert.
If I had a food safety Magic Wand.
If I had a food safety Magic Wand,
Everybody would have a safe supply of drinking water;
Everyone would have sanitary toilet facilities;
And every household would have a clean area to prepare food.
If I had a food safety Magic Wand.
If I had a food safety Magic Wand,
Every country would publicize food safety recalls;
Every country would encourage safe food production techniques;
And every country would enforce food safety laws.
If I had a food safety Magic Wand.
If I had a food safety Magic Wand,
FDA would promptly disclose all food inspection reports (Form 483);
USDA would promptly disclose all food inspection reports;
And FDA and USDA would enable on-line consumer food safety complaints;
If I had a food safety Magic Wand.
If I had a food safety Magic Wand,
All local health agencies would make restaurant inspection results available on-line;
All schools would teach food safety as part of the core curriculum;
And all chefs would practice and promote safe food handling.
If I had a food safety Magic Wand.
But I haven’t a food safety Magic Wand,
So we’ll just have to muddle through —
With no access to clean water for millions around the word,
With no sanitary toilets in much of Asia and Africa,
With fragmentary information,
With inadequate education,
And with celebrity chef misinformation.
Until someone invents a Food Safety Magic Wand.