Many of you have been following the recent news reports about tainted pet food. The federal government has traced the outbreak to contaminated batches of wheat gluten and rice protein from China and is currently investigating the possibility that the tainted ingredients made their way into agricultural animal feeding operations.
Just last month, I ordered all stores within Alabama to stop the sell of Chinese catfish after my labs discovered antibiotics banned by the FDA present in the products.
I firmly believe that people have a right to know that what they are eating and what they are feeding their children is safe. That is one of the reasons I initiated Country of Origin Labeling last year as a pilot project for fresh vegetables and produce with the Alabama Grocer's Association. We know where everything we buy comes from, whether it's clothing, a big screen TV, or a car. With so many food products coming into our country from around the world, I believe people should have the information they need to choose where their food comes from. Many food products from other countries are completely safe, but even the very small potential of tainted food requires us to diligently protect our food supply.
We must demand that other countries provide us with products that live up to the standards we have in the United States. If we do not allow a potentially harmful substance to be used by farmers and producers in our country, then other countries should not be able to send their tainted products to us. It is that simple. While the potential for a serious outbreak is small, it is not a risk I am willing to take with the health of Alabama's families.