Food and Agriculture, Essay Example

The United States’ potential decision to allow China to process its chicken into specific parts for import and consumption is a dangerous proposition because it may bring food into the U.S. that may not be safe and may not adhere to the standards set forth by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Therefore, it is important to determine if this is the best possible option for the United States to undertake, as other risks may also accompany the safety factor that is under consideration. Poultry processing in China must be examined further to determine if it is an effective means of managing the chicken that is farmed in the U.S.

With the potential threat of terrorism always looming in the United States, the export and production of chicken in China is always a threat; therefore, this process is subject to heavy inspection that will play a role in shaping the decisions that are made regarding product export and production (USDA, 2014). In addition, there are significant issues related to food processing in China and how it is unsafe by U.S. standards, thereby posing many questions regarding the safety and efficacy of this practice and its impact on food products (Kloc, 2014). In this context, it is difficult to accept the potential use of a food supply that may not be safe for consumption; therefore, these issues must be considered as these practices move forward (Kloc, 2014).

The record of food safety in China is troubling on a general scale, as the country is notorious for its poor food practices and behaviors; therefore, it is difficult to accept that the U.S. is willing to partake in this practice for the sake of financial activities and a potentially profitable beef market in the future (Siegel, 2014). These practices are difficult to accept because safety should never be sacrificed for profits, nor should it be recognized as a means of accepting mediocre rather than the highest possible quality, as this is a frustrating concept that is difficult to overcome (Siegel, 2014). The lapses in judgment regarding the overall effectiveness of food product consumption is a critical factor that has a significant impact on outcomes and on the safety of food consumed by Americans and related risks (Siegel, 2014). In general, food safety is always a concern, and with poor oversight and the acceptance of practices from other countries, it is important to identify the resources that are required to accomplish these objectives and to understand the risks related to food processing in China (MeatPoultry.com, 2014). It is also necessary to recognize that food products from China may also pose a threat to the safety of Americans if they are potentially infiltrated with products that could harm them, such as chemicals and even biological agents; therefore, this decision is suspect and questionable on many levels that do not make sense to the average consumer and to many lawmakers in the United States (MeatPoultry.com, 2014).

The United States must take a proactive approach to managing its food supply more closely and with a much higher level of scrutiny than that which currently exists. It is important to develop a strategy that will encompass the highest standards of food safety, combined with other factors that will be effective in meeting the needs of the American public and the government agencies who represent their interests. Most importantly, it is necessary to establish a new framework that will capitalize on the developments of new ideas to also protect the food supply from other risks, such as possible threats of terrorism that could impact these supplies in different ways; therefore, chicken exports to China that are re-imported as chicken products is not a good idea, nor does it reflect the most feasible option to protect Americans and to provide them with the resources to improve their own health and wellbeing when their food supply is at risk.

References

Kloc, J. (2014). The curious case of the Chinese chicken import-export business. Retrieved from http://www.newsweek.com/2014/10/10/curious-case-chinese-chicken-import-export-business-273699.html

MeatPoultry.com (2014). Poultry imports from China cause flap. Retrieved from http://www.meatpoultry.com/articles/news_home/Global/2014/02/Poultry_imports_from_China_cau.aspx?ID={7A6EA0AE-02B9-46AF-AE88-A1713495CF02}&cck=1

Siegel, B.E. (2014). Chicken from China? Why you should be worried. Retrieved from http://www.huffingtonpost.com/bettina-elias-siegel/chicken-china_b_4599502.html

United States Department of Agriculture (2014). Frequently asked questions – equivalence of China’s poultry processing system. Retrieved from http://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/newsroom/news-releases-statements-transcripts/news-release-archives-by-year/archive/2013/faq-china-08302013