Bittersweet - Philpott will be missed

From the inbox this morning, news that Amy Philpott has found a new opportunity in crisis communication at a DC public relations firm. From Amy's note:

After nearly five years at United Fresh, I am leaving to pursue a career more focused on crisis communications and issue management - two areas of public communications that I am particularly interested in. As you may know, last May I earned a master’s degree in public communications, while working full-time. During my studies and through my experience here at United Fresh, I have realized that I would like to focus professionally on issues management and crisis communications, and will be able to devote myself to these areas in my new position with Watson & Mulhern, a D.C. public relations agency that specializes in crisis communications and issue management for the food and agricultural industries.

While I am very sad indeed to leave the United Fresh team, I am grateful for the opportunity to have worked at United Fresh and with such a wonderful group of employees and industry members.

TK: Amy has been the type of person who answers the phone with a smile in her voice. She has been an outstanding asset for United and I am sure she will do tremendously well with her new opportunity. Meanwhile, United's institutional knowledge has taken a big hit but the staff there - including communications point person Patrick Delaney - is more than capable to rise to the challenge.

United Fresh White Paper on Food Safety Policy

Amy Philpott of United Fresh passes on this link to the United Fresh white paper on food safety policy. Approved by United's board in late January, the 12 page policy paper outlines the association's positions on food safety legislation, third party certification programs, mandatory recall authority FDA funding and more. This policy paper should get quite a workout in the 111th Congress. I'll get into the specifics of the paper in future posts, but here is the introduction:


In September 2008, the United Fresh Government Relations Council proposed, and the Board of Directors subsequently approved, a resolution calling for United Fresh to provide leadership in developing consensus policy positions on food safety legislative principles across the produce industry. This led to the formation of an ad hoc Food Safety Working Group consisting of members of the United Fresh Government Relations Council and the Food Safety and Technology Council. The goal of this working group was to build upon the United Fresh Board principles that were approved in 2007, and identify key policy positions for food safety legislation that could be agreed to across the industry. The working group developed this set of policy positions to be used with Congress and the new Administration. After multiple iterations, the working group approved this final document, which was also subsequently reviewed by the United Fresh Government Relations Council and Food Safety & Technology Council before final Board of Directors approval.

All a-Twitter

David Babcock of Produce Merchandising was talking to me today about Web stuff and he mentioned how the Web site Twitter is getting a lot of glowing press, even in the business world. In a matter of about two minutes, I've joined up and embedded it to Fresh Talk. I see Amy Philpott and Patrick Delaney of United are members, along with Seattle lawyer Bill Marler. I've already starting to Twitter, so here we go.....

Back in the office - The Nov. 17 Packer

Back in the office today, with much to come from my Costa Rica visit. Just getting settled into my third story perch here at 10901 West 84th Terrace in Lenexa. Besides reviewing and deleting email messags (! System Administrator: Your mailbox is over its size limit.), I take a look at the Nov. 17 issue of The Packer. Some selected highlights:

Page 1
Washington produces record apple crop - Pamla Reimenschneider
U.S. Apple estimates U.S. fresh holdings as of Nov. 1 totaled 114 million bushels, up from 101 million bushels last year and 99 million two years ago. Washington fresh holdings were 94 million bushels, up from 81 million last year. Pamela gets reaction from Keith Mathews, Loren Queen, Roger Pepperl, Ken Severn and Nancy Foster.

Page 1 art - Pic by me of Alberto Bonilla of B & C Exportadores in Costa Rica looking at the firm's chayote crop.

page 1 art - Pic by Greg Johnson of Western Growers officials from the association's annual meeting in La Quinta, Calif.

Romaine investigated in Ontario outbreak - David Mitchell
Public health officials in Ontario are investigating whether an E. coli oubreak is linked to romaine lettuce. David interviews Ontario health officials, the CDC, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency and more.

Initial United Fresh consumer survey suggests safety concerns - David Mitchell
David looks at the United Fresh Issues Scan report from United, noting the startling statistic that showsreveals 32% of consumers are very concerned or extremely concerned about the safety of fresh produce. David interviews Amy Philpott and reviews highlights of United's Issues Scan report, which United says will be issued annually.



Page 2
J. Marchini offers specialties for winter - Don Schrack

Taylor Ann offers snacking apple

Tradewatch

Murphy scholarship applicants sought

Page 3

Prepacked produce confessions - Pamela Riemenschneider
Pamela is back from maternity leave and this "Aisle Wandering" column is a funny and self revealing piece about the new mom's appreciation for convenience in fresh produce.

Pack association names president - Brian Frederick
Jerry Welcome is the new president of the Reusable Packaging Association

California Giant starts retailer training effort - David Mitchell

Produce First! to use event to promote produce on menus - Brian Federick

Retailer chain picks up two locatoins - Ashley Bentley

Sysco links restaurants to producers - Jody Shee
Interesting read about Sysco Corp. effort to link locally grown produce to restaurants in their region


Page 4

Western Growers discusses sustainability topics - Greg Johnson

Growers receive leadership honors


Page 5

Industry leaders plan meeting with FDA, CDC - David Mitchell

Produce safety center awards first grants - Don Schrack

Mexican buyers visit California exporters - Jose Escobedo

Taiwanese longans prepare for U.S. entry - Andy Nelson



Edit page

Ample apples, ample opportunity - Editorial

Industry thinks economy will bounce back in 2009 - Dan Galbraith
Good, timely data on industry perceptions of how recession could impact business


Lessons from produce carry over into everyday life - David Mitchell
David Mitchell's farewell column talks in part about his appreciation for the industry sources who help make the job of reporting about fresh produce easier. We're sad to see David go, though not begrudging his new opportunity. David's coverage of the Salmonella Saintpaul outbreak was incredible and an enduring example of great journalism at The Packer.

B1 Crops and Markets

California water woes threaten produce - Don Schrack

California gold kiwifruit enjoys strong demand - Andy Nelson

Premier Citrus Packers LLC adds deal, expands volume - Doug Ohlemeier

Handling and Distribution - B4

Less is more for Smurfit-Stone pack line - Dan Galbraith

Wal-Mart leaves produce out of Packaging Scoreboard for now - Dan Galbraith



Special sections

Florida citrus - Doug Ohlemeier

Chilean produce - Jose Escobedo

California Winter Desert Vegetables - Don Schrack

Comment on traceability - Robert Guenther and United Fresh

Arguing the industry does not need radical intervention in regard to traceability, Robert Guenther testifies at the FDA traceability meeting today.
Passed on by Amy Philpott of United.

Statement by
Robert L. Guenther
Senior Vice President, Public Policy
United Fresh Produce Association
U.S. Food and Drug Administration Public Meeting on
Product Tracing Systems for Fresh Produce
College Park, Maryland
October 16, 2008
Hello, my name is Robert Guenther, senior vice president of public policy for United Fresh Produce Association (United Fresh). United Fresh is an international trade association representing the fresh fruit and vegetable industry in managing critical public policy issues; shaping legislative and regulatory action; providing scientific and technical leadership in food safety, quality assurance, nutrition and health; and developing educational programs and business opportunities for members to better meet consumer needs for increased consumption of fresh produce. Founded in 1904, United Fresh represents the interests of member companies from small family businesses to the largest international corporations throughout the global fresh produce supply chain, including growers, shippers, fresh-cut processors, wholesalers, distributors, retailers, foodservice operators, industry suppliers and allied associations.
What I will focus on in today’s discussion is how traceability works today, and the strengths and weaknesses of the current product tracing systems in the produce industry. I also want to thank FDA for giving us the opportunity to present our views on the current traceability outlook in the produce industry.
Let me begin with a basic principle that I believe is shared throughout the produce industry – This industry is committed to being able to effectively and efficiently track the source of our products from retail stores and restaurants back to their original farm source.
It is well know, that the Bioterrorism Act requires mandatory record-keeping ‘one-step-up’ and ‘one-step back’ of all foods, with the ability for each person in the supply chain to provide such records within 24 hours. The industry is committed to full compliance with these requirements, and urges FDA to rigorously enforce this law. We know of no instances where FDA has taken any regulatory action to cite a produce company or its customers for failure to provide adequate records as required by the Act. Rather, we hear generalized concerns about the inadequacy of records, without specific examples. The produce industry stands ready to work with the Agency to ensure full and total compliance with these requirements.
Through the Bioterrorism Act the industry is also required by FDA regulation to maintain records that demonstrate the source – transporter and non-transporter – of all raw materials used in the production of foods ultimately offered for consumption. These records must include the material description, the supplier lot number, quantity and date received. The same law requires the industry to maintain records that demonstrate the recipient – transporter and non-transporter – of all outgoing products, including the material description, lot number, quantity and date shipped. The existing regulation exempts farms and restaurants, but the first commercial recipient of produce from the farm is required to maintain these traceability records, as are companies distributing produce to restaurants and other consumer points-of-purchase. As an industry, we support this regulation.
Packaged produce with brand names and lot numbers, such as bagged salads and branded cut fruit, are the most visible examples of fresh produce traceability. Lot codes may be proprietary company codes or serve double duty as "use by" or "sell by" dates, but all retail-available, branded, packaged produce is expected to have lot coding information clearly printed on the package, traceable back to specific lot information. That lot information is expected to include the source and lot numbers of the product’s ingredients, just like other formulated and commercially- available food products. We are unaware of any instances in which public health investigators, having a package in hand, have been unable to quickly and efficiently reach the company that packaged the product and obtain information about the product’s component ingredients. In a blended product, like a salad, it is likely that investigators will not know which ingredient is of special interest, and so would need to obtain source and lot code information for all ingredients; but that need for multiple commodity traceback is often unavoidable in an investigation and not unique to produce.
Repacking operations have been noted by FDA to be a special problem for produce traceability; however we do not believe that to be the case today. Repackers may receive fruit or vegetables, like apples or tomatoes, from several growers or packinghouses. Each incoming produce lot, because it is harvested at the same time, is likely to contain items of different sizes, colors, shapes and stages of ripeness. Repackers’ customers, on the other hand, want the produce to be the same size, color, shape, et cetera. This reduces waste, and storage by the customer, and is more cost efficient and actually safer for consumers than for retail or foodservice operations to receive and process single-lot product themselves. Repackers uncase incoming produce, sort, commingle and re-case the produce to meet customers’ orders. However, this is not unlike the blended product example I just referenced, with different suppliers of a common ingredient instead of different ingredients. Repackers are still expected to provide the outgoing cases with lot code information that is internally traceable to the produce lots used in that case. In the industry-developed 2nd edition Commodity Specific Food Safety Guidelines for the Fresh Tomato Supply Chain, recommendations to repacking facilities specify that "if incoming lots are mixed/commingled, then documentation shall be maintained to identify all included sources."
So, whether we are discussing packaged or whole commodity produce, the industry has procedures in place that provide traceability information from the farm to consumers’ points-of-purchase.
We expect that FDA finds diversity in traceability sophistication and compliance among produce facilities, just like it does in other practices across the food industry. Some companies have exquisite traceability programs, providing consumers with Internet-accessible information about a product’s grower and lot-specific analyses. Less sophisticated traceability programs may still utilize paper-based receiving and shipping records. Depending on the size of the facility, the complexity and volume of its distributions, such a program may be adequate for the facility and compliant with the regulation.
However, we do recognize that there are potential issues and opportunities for improvement in current produce traceability practices.
Common Language and Standards
As noted by PMA, produce companies today often use proprietary codes and labeling practices that fit well with their internal traceability and inventory control practices, but which are different from the codes and practices used by their suppliers and their customers. As a result, codes must be "translated" as they move from one point in the supply chain to the next. In the event of a traceback, investigators must move along the supply chain in a linear and sequential fashion, relying on each point in the supply chain to accurately translate the customer’s codes into the suppliers’. Late last year, our Association along with Produce Marketing Association and Canadian Produce Marketing Association co-launched the Produce Traceability Initiative. The goal of this Initiative is to agree to one language and set of standards to be used to label cases of fresh produce. With uniformity in external traceability practices, translations between customer and supplier codes become unnecessary and multiple points in the supply chain can be made aware, at the same time, whether or not and when they "touched" a particular product and lot number.
Inclusion of Industry in Traceback Investigations
Even when the Produce Traceability Initiative has been fully implemented, investigators will still need to understand the internal traceability and recordkeeping practices in place at each company visited. These practices will vary greatly from facility to facility in order to meet the needs of the company’s culture and other practices. We have heard that investigators sometimes struggle to understand these practices, abandoning or sidestepping the company’s official program, relying on other supply chain records to determine the sources of materials of interest and copying and searching through reams of paper to understand from where and when materials were obtained. This approach could result in missed or misunderstood trace records and therefore delay the traceback. Such delays do not help the investigation nor the companies involved, let alone public health. To speed the investigation, we encourage FDA to find ways to work with the facility’s personnel to understand their internal traceability program, or at least work with industry to understand and overcome obstacles to this approach.
Imports
We believe that imported produce be held to the same requirements as domestically sourced produce. Food safety has no state or international boundaries when it comes to protecting consumers. Therefore any application related to traceability must be consistent and applicable.
"Cash and carry" Operations
While the vast majority of the produce supply chain operates as I have already described, there are still situations where produce is transacted on a "cash and carry" basis, such as at farm markets and discount retail markets, where records assuring traceability may not be kept. These are typically operations close to the consumer points-of-purchase end of the supply chain. These types of operations tend to be local, a minor part of the overall produce supply chain and not representative of current industry practices. However, we also believe that these operations should be required to maintain records demonstrating the source of the ingredients they use. As noted earlier, the recordkeeping required at such operations need not be sophisticated – purchase records may suffice – but they should be adequate to assure traceability to their point of purchase. Again referring to the industry-developed 2nd edition Tomato Food Safety Guidelines, recommendations for retail and foodservice operations specify that "direct-to-consumer retail and foodservice operations shall maintain purchase records that will facilitate traceability. Each facility’s ability to comply with [this requirement] shall be verified at least annually. A record of this verification shall be kept on file [and] all records recommended in this section shall be maintained for at least six months and be readily available." This requirement we believe can be translated across the produce supply chain as it will be for tomatoes.
Relabeled Cartons
We also recognize that a common practice among whole produce handlers is to reuse produce cartons. This practice has provided significant cost savings to handlers and, ultimately, to consumers. However, this practice must be controlled by the handler to ensure, first, that direct food contact cartons do not pose a contamination risk to the produce they contain and, second, that labels on the carton are accurate to their contents. Again referring to the 2nd edition Tomato Food Safety Guidelines, the recommendation to packing operations specifies "Used boxes may only be used as primary containers for mixed/commingled lots if they are clean, sanitary and the original identification information on the box is still accurate to the original source of all of the tomatoes in the box."
Invisible Ingredients
Finally, we encourage the Agency to remember that traceability can only be performed if product of interest has been specifically and accurately identified. Tracebacks cannot be used as a substitute for case control and other epidemiological studies, just as epidemiological conclusions that are not supported by traceback investigations should not be assumed to be accurate. Using this summer’s Salmonella Saintpaul outbreak as an example, while a "fresh salsa" may seem to an adequate food description in an epidemiological study, the primary ingredient may not be the product of interest. Such products can have many ingredients, some of which may be invisible or unrecognizable to the average consumer. Ingredients may be unrecognizable even to investigators. For example, while long-shelf life salsa products typically contain heat processed ingredients to reduce their spoilage potential, it is possible to have unprocessed peppers, diced and invisible to the consumer. It is important for investigators to test their assumptions about products, and a close working relationship with industry during an investigation, as noted earlier, can help to avoid epidemiological misdirections.
In summary, the produce industry today, as a whole, has practices that comply with FDA’s recordkeeping regulations to provide traceability "one step back and one step forward" in the supply chain. If FDA is aware of facilities required to follow this regulation, and are not, we support FDA taking action consistent with the regulation. If there are gaps in the current regulation inhibiting FDA’s ability to perform tracebacks during an investigation, we encourage FDA to clearly identify the root cause of those issues and fix those, rather than reinvent a system that is already working. And finally, while the Produce Traceability Initiative will enhance the supply chain’s traceability practices, it is not a "cure all" or silver bullet. Many details remain to be worked out, and the industry is in the best position to help determine those details, to ensure they achieve their objectives within the cultures of the various facilities and in a manner that is efficient and cost effective, providing security and the best value to consumers.
Thank you for your attention and the opportunity to present these views.

Chat - Amy Philpott on the WPPC

Amy Philpott of United Fresh Produce Association took time this a.m. for a Fresh Talk "chat" session about the upcoming Washington Public Policy Conference (Sept. 10-12), among other topics.


:02 AM me: Hi Amy r u there?

amyphilpott1: Hi!

9:03 AM me: Thanks for taking time to give us an update on the upcoming public policy conference for United - via "chat mode"

9:04 AM amyphilpott1: Thanks for the opportunity - I love the new format!

9:05 AM me: Before I ask you the particulars about this year's event - what's the general ratio of attendees who have never been to a WPPC and those who are regulars?

9:07 AM amyphilpott1: We typcially get about 10% first-time attendees. This year, we are running at about 12% new attendees.

9:08 AM me: Interesting... and Robert mentioned the other day that registrations were running quite strong..what's the update there?

9:10 AM amyphilpott1: We are actually running ahead of last year with nearly 300 registered attendees and two weeks to go - last year we had about 300 total.

9:11 AM me: This has been quite a year for the industry - and for United staff - in dealing with the salmonella outbreak, among everything else - how has it been personally for you in helping to manage media issues related to that big story?

9:16 AM amyphilpott1: The industry does so many great things. It is hard when issues such as outbreaks detract from the many healthy, safe products that we do deliver everyday. Staying on top of the latest information, correcting misinformation, providing data, and helping the media understand that is exhausting - but I truly enjoy working to get the industry's message out.

9:18 AM me: I think what you and others do is not an easy task and a big industry service, of course. back to the WPPC. what do you hear from first time attendees about the event - what do they come away talking about?

9:23 AM amyphilpott1: It never fails - every year I hear it from first-time attendees, "This conference is the most incredible eye-opener! These issues are so important to our industry and being here in DC is an incredible experience." I think most people are put off by politics until they realize that they can have an impact. The WPPC is the perfect venue - we do all the logistical work and attendees just focus on helping the industry and their businesses...of course, we manage to slip in some fun too!

9:25 AM me: This year the agenda inlcudes a visit to the FDA - quite a coup...do we have confirmation on what FDA officials will represent the agency - that might be a tough crowd for them...

7 minutes

9:32 AM amyphilpott1: No doubt it will be an interesting meeting, but the purpose is to engage in consructive, two-way dialogue. We have a unique opportunity here so it can't just be a gripe session - we have to forge a foundation from which a longer-term working relationship can grow. We've done that as an association, but now it is time for members to take an active role. FDA has said that they "know it is an important event and definitely the right people will be there."

9:33 AM me: Amy, you have been generous with your time as usual. If people want to find more about the event and the agenda, where can they go to find the info? And thanks again for another "chat"..

9:34 AM amyphilpott1: Just go to our home page www.unitedfresh.org and click on the blue WPPC Capitol dome logo.

9:35 AM me: Thanks again..we'll see you in DC then

amyphilpott1: Thanks! See you there and it was good "chatting" with you again. ciao

A message from Stenzel

TK: This across the inbox this afternoon, United Fresh president Tom Stenzel previews not only next week's hearings but the continuing debate over government interaction with the trade:


A Message from President Tom Stenzel


Dear United Fresh Members,

Last week, Chairman of the Board Tom Lovelace wrote to tell you of our association’s commitment to driving change in the way government addresses foodborne disease outbreaks, and to seek compensation for those unfairly harmed by this investigation. There’s been so much going on in these areas, let me update you on our progress.

Consumer Warnings/Investigation
First, we’re continuing daily to push government authorities to narrow the current investigation and bring it to a close as quickly as possible. The finding of a sample of jalapeño peppers in a distribution facility in McAllen, TX with the identical DNA fingerprint as the outbreak is an important step toward closure. Yet, the government’s warning not to consume any peppers is destroying markets for hundreds of jalapeño growers and suppliers unrelated to the outbreak, and we’re urging government to lift this total supply chain warning.

Congressional Hearings
Next week three separate Congressional hearings are scheduled to look at this outbreak investigation, what went wrong, and what lessons we can learn for the future. Robert Guenther and Dr. Dave Gombas on our staff have worked hard to brief each committee’s staff in advance of each hearing, providing detailed background on where we see things went wrong and what needs to be done in the future. I’m pleased with the strong slate of industry experts called to testify, along with government officials, academics, consumer groups and others. I’ll be focusing on overall lessons learned in my testimony at two of the hearings, and others will focus on everything from damages to the tomato industry to the loss of consumer confidence in food safety and government.

Legislation to Compensate Tomato Industry
There’s good news here with the introduction of legislation by Rep. Tim Mahoney of Florida to provide up to $100 million in compensation to the tomato industry for losses incurred through the misidentification of tomatoes and blanket consumer warnings. Congressman Mahoney gets it, and we’re working with him and Congressional allies to build the case, despite what are frankly some pretty big odds. Even with an uphill fight, we need to drive home the message that government warnings have huge impact, with major financial consequences on those totally unassociated with the outbreak. There simply must be greater recognition of the damage these broad brush actions have. The entire tomato industry suffered here, and we’ve got to make sure that growers, shippers, repackers and fresh-cut tomato processors are fairly compensated. A number of us will advocate strongly in support of this effort in next week’s hearings.

FDA/CDC/HHS Actions
We’re also continuing direct dialogue with FDA about clearing all tomato production regions for the future, as well as broader questions of what went wrong in this investigation, and ways that the system must change in the future. You’ll remember that our association and PMA have asked the Secretary of Health and Human Services for a top-level meeting and ongoing dialogue about these issues, and government staff members are now working to set that up.

National News Media
Media coverage continues to be frustrating, but we’re breaking through here and there. From the Wall Street Journal and Washington Post to USA Today, CNN, ABC, etc., our communications VP Amy Philpott is getting our views in every story we possibly can. Our general assessment is that most media have realized that tomatoes are highly unlikely to have caused any illness whatsoever.

Media stories are now turning to follow-up coverage, focused a lot on what happens next. Many in the consumer advocacy community and Congress are using this outbreak as a means to drive food safety legislation, or prescriptive traceability schemes. Ironically, the major problem in this outbreak investigation was identifying the wrong cause and chasing ghosts far longer than needed. You know that United Fresh supports commodity-specific, risk based regulation that is fair and equitable across an entire commodity. And, we’re working hard to increase efficiencies across our supply chain in traceability. But neither of those topics has anything to do with the failures in this outbreak. Drawing those distinctions for the news media is a challenge, though.

Industry Traceability
Finally, let me add a word about industry traceability, a topic likely to dominate next week’s Congressional hearings. We believe the vast majority of produce companies and their supply chain partners are in compliance with the Bioterrorism Act and its “one-step-up; one-step back” requirements. Industry members take that responsibility seriously. While produce often changes hands between farm and table, industry members are able to track a majority of produce from retail back to farm source. While FDA continues to report major problems in doing tracebacks, others such as Minnesota health officials have said it takes “a few phone calls and you can work it fairly quickly back to the grower.” That is the experience that I hear as well from many of our members across the industry. We believe that when FDA tracks produce, it is more dependent upon a legal trail of paperwork, seeking to make sure that all the details correlate exactly on invoices, bills of lading, etc. This can lead to bogging down in understanding the different ways companies use to track produce within their own operations. It may be confusing to an outsider who is examining hundreds of pages of records in an unfamiliar business, but to most industry members, each part in the distribution chain can effectively determine where it received produce, and keep tracking back to the farm.

Nevertheless, the produce industry understands better than anyone that we need the most efficient and quickest traceability systems possible. We have the most to gain from isolating produce that may be part of a problem as quickly as possible, and a similar incentive to rule out concerns about produce that is clearly not related to a problem. That’s why United Fresh joined with PMA and CPMA last year to launch an initiative to build better transparency, a common framework and nomenclature for case labeling, and streamlined connectivity across the supply chain. That initiative is guided by a Steering Committee of more than 50 produce retailers, wholesalers, distributors, packer-shippers and growers. The committee has met four times this year and is now finalizing action plans and timelines for industry adoption. That’s the best example I know of an industry committed to constant improvement in traceability, not one that requires more government regulation to get the job done.

As you can tell, there’s a lot going on. We’re getting lots of member questions, so I wanted to answer as many of them here as I could. Let’s look forward to clearer days ahead.

Tom Stenzel
President
United Fresh Produce Association

United update: enjoy without regard to origin

From United Fresh, just sliding across the inbox;


Today, CDC and FDA officially announced that “consumers may enjoy all tomatoes that are available in the U.S. marketplace without regard for their origin.”
During a media briefing today about the ongoing Salmonella saintpaul outbreak, FDA Associate Commissioner for Foods David Acheson said that FDA was changing its advice because the farms identified thru the trace back investigations are no longer shipping tomatoes and because they did not find any evidence of contamination along the supply chains that were involved in the trace back investigations.
As evidence has mounted that tomatoes could not be contributing to this outbreak, United Fresh has urged FDA and CDC to change their earlier advisory, so we are pleased with today’s news. However, we continue to encourage CDC and FDA to now complete their investigation of Jalapeño and Serrano peppers quickly so that either the problem can be identified or, if not, these products can be cleared as well.
Both FDA and CDC will update their websites to reflect today’s announcement. CDC also indicated that it would include a graph of the outbreak illnesses on its website.
We will continue to keep you informed, but, as always, please contact us if you have questions. Amy Philpott, 202-303-3400 ext. 425 .

No FDA presser today

Obviously, no FDA press conference call today. Perhaps tomorrow.

I had to smile at Jay Martini's reference to "co-mingled" United and PMA. Yes, the two national, multi-commodity associations are acting in unbroken unison in response to the salmonella outbreak - but isn't that what the trade has always said it wants from the two groups? A case of "can't win for losing"? Do we want them now acting independently instead, each trying to outdo the other in PR gambits?

We can't have it both ways. As the parable of Jesus goes, we either dance when the flute is played or we mourn when we hear wailing. For the industry's sake, let's indeed hope that United's/PMA wisdom is vindicated.

I think that major consumer press reporters are either falling short in their sourcing of PMA and United, or perhaps they are swayed by the delectable sound bites from The Perishable Pundit. I think Jim has done a credible job of raising doubts about the FDA actions, but the industry itself must be in the forefront.

Who is the ideal industry media spokesperson for this point in time? Association executives may seem to be the logical choice - Amy Philpott has done a good job in representing the industry in several stories I have seen - but to me the most credible and compelling sources would be tomato industry leaders like Mark Munger or Tony DiMare. Both of their companies have suffered as a result of the actions by the FDA and would be credible and sympathetic sources, I believe.

Follow up: United and PMA ask for meeting (again)

The industry's posture toward the FDA is evolving, especially with the apparent unresponsiveness by the agency to the industry's concerns and initial request for a meeting. Note this communication from July 3:


Dear Produce Industry Members,

As you know, on June 17, United Fresh and PMA sent a joint letter to Secretary Michael Leavitt, Health and Human Services, requesting a meeting to discuss lessons learned specific to the current Salmonella saintpaul outbreak and ways to improve outbreak management in general. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services oversees both the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Food & Drug Administration (FDA).
To date, we have not yet heard back from Secretary Leavitt. So today, United Fresh and PMA sent a follow up letter to Secretary Leavitt again requesting a meeting to discuss these issues.
As always, we will keep you updated as new information becomes available. In the meantime, feel free to contact
Amy Philpott,
Vice President, Communications, 202-303-3400 ext. 425
United Fresh Produce Association
1901 Pennsylvania Avenue
NW, Ste 1100
Washington, DC 20006

Crisis management

The tomatoes/salmonella outbreak/investigation has presented the industry with one of its toughest challenges ever, creating dynamics of outrage with the FDA's performance and defensiveness about produce traceability. Here is a July 1 communication from United Fresh, which touches on both realities.

Dear Produce Industry Members,

Given the heavy media pick up over the past few days, I wanted to send you a brief update on the Salmonella saintpaul outbreak, even though there is no new information to report specifically on the outbreak investigation itself.

Last Friday, on June 27th, CDC and FDA held a joint media briefing to provide an update on the Salmonella saintpaul outbreak. As you know from the media reports over the weekend, during this briefing CDC indicated that tomatoes may not be the source of the outbreak, although CDC also said that there was still a very strong correlation with tomatoes. In addition, FDA stated that the source of the outbreak may still be in the marketplace; this was based on a June 15 onset of illness date.

Today, CDC and FDA held another joint media briefing, and health authorities reported that June 20 is now the latest onset of illness date related to the Salmonella saintpaul outbreak, and this is still an ongoing outbreak. During the call, CDC and FDA both reiterated that although "other items commonly consumed with tomatoes" are now also being investigated, the strongest correlation is still with tomatoes.

It is important to note that CDC and FDA did not change their advice to consumers, retailers and restaurateurs. The FDA advice is: "July1, 2008: At this time, FDA recommends consuming raw red plum, raw red Roma, or raw red round tomatoes only if grown and harvested from the… areas that HAVE NOT BEEN ASSOCIATED WITH THE OUTBREAK." In addition, "types of tomatoes not linked to any illnesses are cherry tomatoes, grape tomatoes, and tomatoes with the vine still attached."

A replay of today's media call is available until Friday, July 4, 2008 by dialing 1-800-462-2082; international callers can dial 1-402-344-6820.

FDA is continuing its outbreak investigations in both Florida and Mexico to determine the source of the outbreak. FDA is sampling both domestic and imported product, and continuing to pursue new traceback investigations.

Here at United Fresh, Dr. David Gombas and I have both been giving print and on-camera media interviews. Our general messaging is focused on the industry’s commitment to food safety both in preventing and responding to problems, our sincere hope that CDC has not led any of us down the wrong path, both because of the losses incurred by the industry, but also because, if the outbreak was not caused by tomatoes, everything done over the past five weeks will have done little to actually protect public health, and, finally, the unacceptable management of this outbreak and our request for industry and government health officials to work together on an ongoing basis, not just when a problem occurs. The media has also asked about traceability and country of origin labeling. If you have been contacted by the media and would like to discuss these lines of questioning, or if you would like to refer these calls to us, please feel free to provide my number to reporters.

Obviously, the most important thing to do is still to stop the outbreak, which would be signaled by going 2-3 consecutive weeks with no new illness occurring. To this end, United Fresh has been working with industry scientists and supply chain experts to provide FDA and CDC as much industry input as possible. We are also receiving calls from congressional offices asking what the industry is doing in the areas of traceability and food safety, so we have been answering these questions as well.

As always, we will keep you updated as new information becomes available. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me at: Amy Philpott, Vice President, Communications, 202-303-3400 ext. 425.

Regards,

Amy

United Fresh Produce Association
1901 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Ste 1100
Washington, DC 20006

United update

Industry members will be glad they have their national associations to help deal with the tomato/salmonella issue, though it may hard to appreciate that fact in the midst of the outbreak. Reflecting both the urgency of outreach by the association and the unchecked exasperation in the tomato industry that has hounded this outbreak, here is an update from United that reviews the basics of the FDA press conference. (edited to remove some personal details of cell phones)

June 20, 2008
Dear Produce Industry Members,
Below is an update on the Salmonella saintpaul outbreak associated with Roma (plum) and red round tomatoes not still on the vine. I will be available over the weekend on my cell phone if you have any questions. Regards - Amy Philpott, United Fresh
FDA Traceback Investigation Update:
While FDA has not identified the source of contamination, the agency announced today during a media briefing that it has completed the traceback for some of the tomatoes from the point of consumption back to farms in both Florida and Mexico. FDA is working to narrow the investigation and identify the contamination point by conducting joint investigations with authorities in Florida and Mexico, sampling both domestic and imported product, and continuing to pursue new traceback investigations.
This weekend, FDA inspectors will look at points all along the traceback supply chain to further narrow the scope of the investigation. According to Dr. David Acheson, associate commissioner, FDA, “Now that FDA has identified the paths that those tomatoes have travelled between the farms to consumers, FDA will be looking all along those pathways to see where the contamination occurred.” Acheson emphasized that FDA will be looking at all points along the traceback supply chain, not just farms.
FDA’s advice to consumers, retailers, restaurateurs and food service operators has not changed and a list of tomato production areas NOT ASSOCIATED with the outbreak can be found on FDA’s website.
CDC also updated its website today, reporting that 552 persons infected with Salmonella saintpaul with the same genetic fingerprint have been identified in 32 states and the District of Columbia. The onset of illness dates range from since April 10 to June 10. CDC considers this an ongoing outbreak.
Click here to read a transcript of FDA's media briefings

As always, we will keep you updated as new information becomes available.

As a side note, we have heard from many of you this week regarding our joint industry letter to federal health officials; thank you for your input and support. Thank you also for your comments regarding Wednesday's Inside United Fresh story, "When Doing Our Best Isn't Good Enough." We look forward to working, on behalf of the industry, with government officials to improve outbreak management.

United Fresh Produce Association
1901 Pennsylvania Avenue NW,
Ste 1100
Washington, DC 20006

Baja breaking free

There was apparently no breaking news over the weekend from the FDA on the traceback investigation, as I'm just now checking the office email after a full Sunday of family time. However, I did notice that Amy Philpott of United Fresh sent out an email about Baja California "certificate protocol." I would assume from a first reading of United's letter, sliding across the inbox at about 4:36 pm on Sunday, that the FDA will soon clear Baja California production under certain conditions. From the letter:

Dear United Fresh Members,

United Fresh received the attached documents regarding the certificate protocol for Roma (plum) and red round tomatoes from Baja California (Norte) from the Secretaria de Fomento Agropecuario del Gobierno del Estado de Baja California (Fomento Agropecuario). According to Fomento Agropecuario, these documents will also be posted on their web page, http://www.sfa.gob.mx/, sometime tomorrow.

You will note that most of the documents are specific to the producer or grower in Mexico. However, the "Application for Approval" document is for the importer of record, and the "Formato-Receivers" is for the receiver of the product.

These documents will also be available tomorrow on the United Fresh webpage dedicated to the Salmonella saintpaul Outbreak. There is a link to this special page on our home page www.unitedfresh.org

Questions regarding the protocol can be directed to:

Ing. Javier Marin

Director de Inspeccion, Sanidad e Inocuidad,

Secretario de Fomento Agropecuario del Gobierno del Estado de Baja California

jmarin@baja.gob.mx or cnunezr@baja.gob.mx

or

Belem Avendaño

Asesor del Secretario de Fomento Agropecuario del Gobierno del Estado de Baja California belem_avendano@yahoo.com

Regards,

Amy Philpott

United Fresh Produce Association

United relelase: June 11

From the United Fresh Produce Association:

FDA has expanded its list of areas NOT ASSOCIATED WITH THE OUTBREAK to include counties in Florida that were not in production at the time of the first illness onset associated with the recent Salmonella saintpaul outbreak. According to FDA, "shipments of tomatoes harvested in these counties are acceptable with a certificate issued by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services."

Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) will verify that tomatoes from the designated Florida counties were harvested after May 1 - after the outbreak began. The specific shipment criteria can be found on the Florida Tomato Committee's website at www.floridatomatoes.org.

For more information about the FDACS certificates, please contact FDACS, Division of Fruits and Vegetables at 863-291-5820, or Florida Tomato Committee at 407-660-1949.

Tomatoes from all other states and countries on the FDA list do not need to be verified or accompanied by a certificate.

FDA is still investigating the outbreak and United Fresh will keep you updated as we receive new information. United Fresh is taking calls from the media and yesterday we spoke to several reporters about misinformation in some of the news reports. We will continue to work to provide new information to reporters and correct any misinformation in the media. Please contact us, if you have questions.

Amy Philpott, aphilpott@unitedfresh.org, 202-303-3400 ext. 425

Dr. David Gombas, dgombas@unitedfresh.org

Helpful Links:

Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services: http://doacs.state.fl.us/

Florida Tomato Committee: http://www.floridatomatoes.org/

Shipment criteria found on the Florida Tomato Committees website http://www.floridatomatoes.org/tomatoshipmentcriteria.pdf

United Fresh Produce Association, Home Page www.unitedfresh.org

United Fresh Produce Association, special page on Salmonella saintpaul outbreak http://www.unitedfresh.org/newsviews/food_safety_resource_center/salmonella_saintpaul_outbreak

U.S. Food & Drug Administration http://www.fda.gov/oc/opacom/hottopics/tomatoes.html

The food fuel debate

I made some calls today about the food-fuel debate. I'll have some coverage in The Packer about bio fuels and their impact on food prices, and the tangential news related to the U.N. Food Summit in Rome. One economist I talked with today said there has been no study that he has seen that does a thorough job of providing a number - a measure of how production of corn-based ethanol impacts food prices - and then backing that number up with deconstructing the various economic factors. More on that later...

Hope to have a Fresh Talk keyboard chat tomorrow morning with David Mitchell of The Packer, who has been the lead writer on the tomato/salmonella coverage.

Also extended an invitation to Kathy Means and Amy Philpott to participate in Fresh Talk as guest bloggers. That offer also goes out to any other association executive/industry leaders out there who would like to add some reasoned perspective to the news of the day. Email me at tkarst@thepacker.com if you are interested.

United update on tomatoes/salmonella

From United Fresh this afternoon:


June 7, 2008
Dear Produce Industry Members,
This is an update concerning the Salmonella saintpaul outbreak. U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) updated its consumer advisory at 6pm eastern time this evening .
FDA is still recommending retailers, restaurateurs, and food service operators continue to offer cherry tomatoes, grape tomatoes, and tomatoes sold with the vine still attached, from any source. In its update this evening, FDA also advises consumers to limit their consumption of tomatoes to these types of tomatoes and to tomatoes from the areas listed below.
FDA also recommends that all retailers, restaurateurs, and foodservice operators offer raw red plum, raw red Roma, or raw red round tomatoes only if grown and harvested from the areas that are listed below.
The list below was compiled by FDA based on both traceback information and shipping dates. That is, the list includes production areas that have been eliminated as a possible source based on traceback information and it also includes growing regions that were not shipping tomatoes when the first illness related to this outbreak was reported.
FDA has indicated that red Roma, red plum, and round red tomatoes from the following sources are NOT ASSOCIATED WITH THE OUTBREAK:
Arkansas
California
Georgia
North
Carolina
South Carolina
Tennessee
Texas
Belgium
Canada
Dominican
Republic
Guatemala
Israel
Netherlands
Puerto Rico
According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), illnesses related to this outbreak began April 23 and the last onset of illness related to this outbreak is currently May 27. There is roughly a two week period between when someone becomes ill and when the health authorities can determine whether or not they are actually linked to the outbreak. This means that even though the CDC is reporting an increase in illnesses, the cases reported today are people who became ill between April 23 and May 27. This also means that health officials are unlikely to declare the outbreak officially over until they have seen at least two weeks with no new illness onsets.
The FDA's national consumer advisory will likely generate even more media than we've already seen. If you would like, feel free to forward media calls about the outbreak to me or Dr. David Gombas, or contact me if you would like general media messaging points. United Fresh has also established a dedicated webpage to provide the latest information about the Salmonella saintpaul outbreak.
We’ll keep you updated as new information becomes available.
Amy Philpott, Vice President, Communications, 202-303-3400 ext. 425
Dr. David Gombas, Senior Vice President of Food Safety & Technology

CDC on salmonella and tomatoes

Here is the link to the CDC statement on salmonella and tomatoes. David Mitchell of The Packer is covering this story this week, so watch for his updates on The Packer news site. Amy Philpott of United Fresh indicated that FDA is expected to make a statement or release information today.


From the CDC:

CDC is collaborating with public health officials in several states, the Indian Health Service, and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to investigate an ongoing multistate outbreak of human Salmonella serotype Saintpaul infections. An epidemiologic investigation conducted by the New Mexico and Texas Departments of Health and the Indian Health Service using interviews comparing foods eaten by ill and well persons has identified consumption of raw tomatoes as the likely source of the illnesses in New Mexico and Texas. The specific type and source of tomatoes are under investigation; however, preliminary data suggest that large tomatoes, including Roma and red round are the source.

Since late April, 40 persons infected with Salmonella Saintpaul with the same genetic fingerprint have been identified in Texas (21 persons) and New Mexico (19 persons). The New Mexico Department of Health is investigating 17 additional Salmonella Saintpaul illnesses. These were identified because clinical laboratories in all states send Salmonella strains from ill persons to their State public health laboratory for characterization. Among the 38 persons who have been interviewed, illnesses began between April 23 and May 27, 2008. Patients range in age from 3 to 82 years; 48% are female. At least 17 persons were hospitalized. No deaths have been reported.

In addition, approximately 30 persons with Salmonella Saintpaul infection have been reported since late April in residents of Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, and Utah. Investigations are underway to determine if consumption of raw tomatoes is also associated with illness in these states.

Advice to consumers:

• In New Mexico and Texas, until the source of the implicated tomatoes is determined,
  • persons with increased risk of severe infection, including infants, elderly persons, and those with impaired immune systems, should not eat raw Roma or red round tomatoes other than those sold attached to the vine or grown at home, and
  • persons who want to reduce their risk of Salmonella infection can avoid consuming raw Roma or red round tomatoes other than those sold attached to the vine or grown at home.
• Avoid purchasing bruised or damaged tomatoes and discard any that appear spoiled.
• Thoroughly wash all tomatoes under running water.
• Refrigerate within 2 hours or discard cut, peeled, or cooked tomatoes.
• Keep tomatoes that will be consumed raw separate from raw meats, raw seafood, and raw produce items.
• Wash cutting boards, dishes, utensils, and counter tops with hot water and soap when switching between types of food products.

You can check the CDC and FDA websites for updates on this investigation and changes in recommendations.

More information about Salmonella and this investigation can be found at:

• Salmonella FAQs
• Department of Health Announces Link Between Tomatoes, Salmonella

Chat session - Amy Philpott

Amy Philpott of United Fresh Produce Association agreed to be the second Google Chat subject this week, and you can find our short keyboard-driven chat here. You might be surprised that Amy once was equally at home in auto shop as she is now as an association executive.....

10:05 AM me: Thanks for chatting today for the benefit of Fresh Talk readers!
amyphilpott1: Happy to do so. This Google Talk is fun.
me: Amy, tell us where you grew up - what's your hometown and what is it famous for, besides you
10:06 AM amyphilpott1: I grew up on a farm about 5 miles outside of Centerville, CA. – a small town (fewer than 100 pop) located about 20 miles east of Fresno, CA. It sits at the foot of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. The Sunmaid Raisin plant is not too far away, so I guess that is our biggest claim to fame.
10:07 AM me: So your father was a farmer - is he still on the farm?
10:09 AM amyphilpott1: Yes, he is a small farmer - the farm is now down to about 20 acres of oranges only. When I was younger, we grew Thompson Seedless Grapes for the Gallo winery in Clovis and oranges, which we sold to the Sunkist Co-op in Sanger. I remember going to the co-op to deliver the oranges and pick up more picking bins. I have wonderful childhood memories growing up in the country.
10:10 AM me: That sounds very picturesque. You were intentional about staying involved with agriculture as you went to college, then?
10:11 AM amyphilpott1: It wasn't intential at first, but after going away to college and realizing how much I loved coming back home to the farm, I knew I wanted to stay involved someway.
10:12 AM me: What college did you go to and what was your first job after graduation?
10:14 AM amyphilpott1: I studied in San Francisco for a few years and then moved back to Cal State Fresno to graduate with my bachlor's in business administration. I worked all through college as a manager at an auto parts store. After graduation I worked for FMC - Farm Machinery Corporation.
10:15 AM me: If you can manage an auto parts store, I expect you can handle most anything! So you have no problem changing the oil, I take it?
10:17 AM amyphilpott1: Funny you ask - given that we didn't really have enough acreage to make a fulling living off of farming, my dad was also the auto shop teacher at Sanger High School. I had to learn how to change the oil, change the tires and do a complete tune up before he would get me a car.
10:18 AM me: Good for him?- and you. So what or who opened the door to your first produce related job?
10:21 AM amyphilpott1: During my first graduate studies, I worked at Kalashian Packing, a fig packing plant in Fresno. We processed figs for Nabisco's fig newtons. HOWEVER, I have my mentor Scott Horsfall to thank for my first career position. He and Bruce Obbink hired me as an international marketing director after I graduated with a Masters in International Marketing from Cal Stat Univeristy, Fresno. (I won't say what year)
10:22 AM sorry - for those who don't know Scott or Bruce - that was with the California Table Grape Commission
10:24 AM me: Bruce was/is quite an astute man - and Scott has done quite well for himself as well. There is so much to ask you about, but I won't make you spend all day at the keyboard. What did you enjoy most about your time with the grape commission and how did United get you to come to Washington, D.C.?
10:28 AM amyphilpott1: The part I loved most about my job with the commission - the part that I also love about my current job - was the contact with the industry and with growers in particular. I know from experience that is it so easy to get absorbed in what goes on the farm. When I realized how important it is to help form farm and food policies at the national level, I knew coming to DC was another way to help my dad and others in the produce industry.
10:29 AM me: For the benefit of our readers, what is your job title and responsibilitiees and what is one project that you have been working lately?
10:32 AM amyphilpott1: My title here at United Fresh Produce Association is vice president of marketing and industry relations. Among the many projects that I'm working on concurrently, the Retail Produce Manager Awards program is at the top - we'll be announcing the winners in the next week or two and it is always exciting to bring these retailers to our show in Las Vegas where we honor what they do to promote fresh produce.
10:37 AM me: Amy, thanks for your time. I appreciate it.
amyphilpott1: My pleasure!

Inside United Fresh

Congrats to the United Fresh Produce Association - Amy Philpott especially - for the first edition of Inside United Fresh, the new member email update. I like greater use of photos and I think midweek Wednesday delivery - as opposed to the Friday delivery of the now retired weekly update - serves members better. I note this interesting tidbit from the report:

Study Shows Fruits and Veggies in WIC to Boost Grower Returns

“With the inclusion of fruits and vegetables now on tap for the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) government feeding program, most of us have been focused solely on the consumption increases that will be driven by some $500 million in federal funding,” said Lorelei DiSogra, vice president of nutrition and health at United Fresh. Now, a new economic study by the National Food and Agricultural Policy Project (NFAPP) at Arizona State University projects an additional impact on grower returns, due to the increased market demand. NFAPP examines one commodity – broccoli – to estimate the impact that adding fruit and vegetable vouchers will have in the marketplace. NFAPP’s Broccoli Market Watch builds on United Fresh’s estimate of $32 million in increased retail sales for broccoli, but then uses economic modeling to predict how strengthened market demand will boost grower returns as well. NFAPP estimates that demand will increase 2.2%, leading to a 3.8% increase in retail price, and 2.9% increase in grower price. That price impact alone would generate $21 million in increased returns to broccoli growers. For more information about fruits and vegetables in WIC, contact Lorelei, 202-303-3403.

TK: By the way, Lorelei helped set up an interview yesterday for me with researchers in Wisconsin studying the program effects of the fresh fruit and vegetable program there. More coming on that later....

Is it good to be Burger King?

Tom Philpott gives us this post today at Gristmill, a blog that describes itself as "leafy green commentary." Philpott covered the speech of Eric Schlosser - author of Fast Food Nation - at Eco-Farm, the annual conference held by the Ecological Farming Association of California. Philpott writes:

Organized by the heroic Coalition of Immokolee Workers, tomato pickers had managed to cajole major tomato buyers Taco Bell and McDonald's to agree to pay an extra penny a pound for tomatoes -- enough to double the wages of workers.

But Burger King has refused to go along with the hike, a move that threatened to scotch the deal. By holding back on that penny per pound, Schlosser reports, Burger King saves itself $250,000 per year -- a rounding error compared to annual profits, and a fraction on a fast-food CEO's annual pay.

Schlosser himself recently brought that story to broad public attention with an op-ed in The New York Times. And while he didn't mention it in his speech, it was almost surely his high-profile expose that inspired Bernie Sanders, Ted Kennedy, and other senators to get involved, pressuring Burger King to relent. Schlosser predicted that to get the senators off its back, Burger King would likely soon pay the extra penny.

TK: Should Burger King pay the extra penny a pound for tomatoes? Here is a link to an interesting Web site that discusses the history and effectiveness of boycotts. From the site, about the history of boycotts:

The word "boycott" is of much more recent origin than the act of boycotting. Many British absentee landowners in late 19th century Ireland took advantage of famine conditions in Ireland to evict tenants from their property and to lower wages for field work. One of the worst offenders was Captain Charles Boycott (1832-1897), estate manager of the Irish lands of the British Third Earl of Erne. In 1880, Boycott evicted undesirable tenants from the Earl's estates and paid laborers only half the day wage for field work. An American journalist in Ireland and an Irish priest came up with a fitting word to describe the Irish Land League's tactic of encouraging the peasantry to stop working and producing for oppressive landlords, coining the term "boycotting." Irish peasants "boycotted" the estates of absentee Earl of Erne, forcing Charles Boycott to harvest the crops. The boycott was extended further: no merchant would service the Boycott family, and their servants disappeared. This collective social and economic ostracism forced Boycott to stop his abusive tactics.

The example of the Irish Land League and the rise of organized labor in the United States encouraged the use of boycotts as never before. Hitherto the most famous "boycott" in the U.S., before the word was invented, was in 1765, to protest the Stamp Act. As a result, Parliament repealed the act.

TK: What makes a boycott effective? From the Web site:

Most boycotts deliver less than they set out to achieve, though, and as a mechanism for change they have a very spotted record. Financially, boycotts have had negligible impact on their targets, according to a 1997 study published in the Journal of Business Research. Some of the least successful boycotts, now all but abandoned in the United States, have been consumer protests against price increases. Other ill-fated boycotts have been directed at only one link in a complex chain of factors, making the object of the boycott seem unclear or unrealistic. Still others never appeal to widely held values in order to attract mass support.


TK: I think any organized boycott of Burger King over this tomato wage issue would be ill-fated, in part because it precisely is directed at one link in a complex chain of factors. I believe most of the public would like Congress to deal with the working conditions of immigrant farm workers by enforcing our immigration and employment laws, not by this patchwork effort that is driven by one interest group.