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From Serious Eats

Food Safety: A Change Is Gonna Come, But How Soon?

A good article detailing the food safety system (and its shortcomings) from the GAO:
http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d07449t.pdf

From Serious Eats

Food Safety: A Change Is Gonna Come, But How Soon?

@ Supagold - nice article (if a bit aggressive). I had no idea the ramifications on small farmers, thanks for the information. I think as a community Serious Eats is in a position to make a meaningful contribution to improving this bill (or at least increasing awareness of its full ramifications) before it gets passed. I would love to see more coverage of it on SE in the future.

Also, having seen some of the data on FDA inspections, the task set out before them verges on impossible. The distinctions of their jurisdiction are highly bureaucratic and piecemeal. For example, the USDA inspects open faced sandwiches (daily) while the FDA has jurisdiction over closed sandwiches (which they only inspect once every five years). The FDA will never be able to inspect even a measurable fraction of the food that flows through our system on a daily basis, but will continue to bear a considerable portion of the blame when things unavoidably go wrong.

The solution lies not in increased oversight to satisfy momentary public outrage, but in a genuine overhaul of the American food system. Without infinite funding (and costs far exceeding the benefits) it would be impossible to check every factory, or even provide a credible threat to do so. Therefore what must change is not the oversight, but the way that Americans eat. If we move our consumption away from large scale production to smaller, more sustainable farming models we could see a real breakthrough in the food safety system in our country. Until then, the market and FDA are doing a fairly good job (ultimately the number of deaths from our food system is really very small) of safely meeting consumer demand for large quantities of variously processed foods. In fact, many more are dying every year from dietary related diseases - heart disease, diabetes etc. - than food poisoning. Maybe we should direct some of those precious government resources to solving that problem instead.

From Talk

Burgers in Bethesda

Houston's is always good for a solid burger. I have also heard of a new place called BGR that is supposed to be good but I have never actually been.

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Recommendations in Koreatown and Curry Hill?

From Recipes

French in a Flash: Eggplant Tian

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Dinner Tonight: Salmon Burgers

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Dinner Tonight: Green Lentil Salad with Baby Spinach and Goat Cheese

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Recent Comments | Response to Comments

From Serious Eats

Food Safety: A Change Is Gonna Come, But How Soon?

A good article detailing the food safety system (and its shortcomings) from the GAO:
http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d07449t.pdf

From Serious Eats

Food Safety: A Change Is Gonna Come, But How Soon?

@ Supagold - nice article (if a bit aggressive). I had no idea the ramifications on small farmers, thanks for the information. I think as a community Serious Eats is in a position to make a meaningful contribution to improving this bill (or at least increasing awareness of its full ramifications) before it gets passed. I would love to see more coverage of it on SE in the future.

Also, having seen some of the data on FDA inspections, the task set out before them verges on impossible. The distinctions of their jurisdiction are highly bureaucratic and piecemeal. For example, the USDA inspects open faced sandwiches (daily) while the FDA has jurisdiction over closed sandwiches (which they only inspect once every five years). The FDA will never be able to inspect even a measurable fraction of the food that flows through our system on a daily basis, but will continue to bear a considerable portion of the blame when things unavoidably go wrong.

The solution lies not in increased oversight to satisfy momentary public outrage, but in a genuine overhaul of the American food system. Without infinite funding (and costs far exceeding the benefits) it would be impossible to check every factory, or even provide a credible threat to do so. Therefore what must change is not the oversight, but the way that Americans eat. If we move our consumption away from large scale production to smaller, more sustainable farming models we could see a real breakthrough in the food safety system in our country. Until then, the market and FDA are doing a fairly good job (ultimately the number of deaths from our food system is really very small) of safely meeting consumer demand for large quantities of variously processed foods. In fact, many more are dying every year from dietary related diseases - heart disease, diabetes etc. - than food poisoning. Maybe we should direct some of those precious government resources to solving that problem instead.

From Talk

Burgers in Bethesda

Houston's is always good for a solid burger. I have also heard of a new place called BGR that is supposed to be good but I have never actually been.

From Serious Eats

Seriously Delicious Holiday Food Giveaway: Russ & Daughters

nothing like a hot bagel from absolute with scallion cream cheese and tomato. good for any meal - not just brunch

From Talk

I'm off to NYC..

For Arthur Ave, I just went to Robertos and the pastas in particular were awesome. It was at night so I didn't get to explore, but I am excited to go back.

If are looking for wonderful sweets around Levain, GROM gelato is also a delicious, wonderful import from Italy.

I would also like to second Di Fara, Chelsea Market and a cheese course at Murrays cheese - all extremely fun. Katzs will also always be one of my favorites. I would be less excited by Balduccis or Dean and Deluca, as they aren't that different from their stores nationwide.

From Talk

My son turns 21 this June: a special way to celebrate?

As somebody that just had their 21st birthday two weeks ago I have to say this would be the perfect present. In fact my parents sent me and my best friend from school to Daniel for my 20th birthday and it was a wonderful gift. I would also love to go with my parents for another occasion.

Some of my favorite meals I have had recently have been at Mario Batali's restaurants. Babbo would be my top recommendation. Great restaurant and I had a wonderful bottle of wine that was only $30 so you don't have to break the bank. They have a la carte and tasting menus with wine pairings available so you have options. I had the pasta tasting menu which I loved, and I believe was 69/ person. Another option if you are looking a little less expensive is Del Posto Enoteca, another Batali restaurant, that has a smaller tasting menu for 45/ person.

Outside of Batali, I like Blue Hill. Jewel Bako is another amazing place, though I don't know if I would put it in the same category as Babbo and Blue Hill. If you can get in Momofuku Ko is new, trendy and well reviewed which could fit all of your needs. However, there are only 12 seats and they only take reservations online a week in advance. If you are already planning now you might not appreciate the uncertainty. Finally, Per Se would always be a wonderful option. I have never been but I have been trying to convince various family members to take me there for a while!

I might also recommend not going on his birthday, since I did appreciate the chance to spend the evening with friends. That said, any other night I think this would make a wonderful birthday present that you will be sure to remember. Also, I loved jonfoxx's idea of giving him the chef's cookbook at the end.

Good luck and enjoy your meal!

From Talk

Take it with you?

@cybercita. I would give anything to bring cheeseboard to new york... I know we have tons of amazing cheese stores and pizza places here but there is still nothing like cheeseboard.

That said, I wouldn't mind bringing much of shattuck to NYC with Milano Gelato and, of course, Chez Panisse.

From Serious Eats

Cook the Book: Nigella Express

Making a list before I shop - if I am not focused I can be in the store forever (and of course end up with tons of stuff I don't need and missing stuff I do)

From Serious Eats

Weekend Book Giveaway: 'Around the World in 80 Dinners'

Thailand, Israel just for falafel off the street, Italy for hand made pasta and cheese, Spain for El Bulli

Really there is no place I wouldn't go, but that is a good start

From Serious Eats

Cook the Book: 'My Last Supper'

I'm not sure, but it would have to have a poached or fried egg. And lobster. Yea, delicious.

From A Hamburger Today

Kosher Cheeseburger: Sacrilicious or Sacrilegious?

To start, I am Jewish and have kept Kosher at some points in my life. I personally do not find a problem with this at all. The point of Kashrut is not the appearance of the food you are eating. The fact that a soy product looks and tastes like a dairy product does not in fact make it a dairy product. Would you mind if somebody at edamame and then ate a kosher hamburger? I don't think so.

Another point: Jews regularly eat Kosher for passover cereals, rolls etc. If that is allowed why shouldn't this be?

I understand the argument that you need to make a fence around the laws. That said, I think common sense and solid education is enough of a fence in this situation.

From Talk

Would you rather give up eggs or cereal?

i would give up cereal. while cereal is delicious and easy and wonderful, it just doesn't compare to the perfection of eggs. no more eggs benedict? no more omelets? no more Gordon Ramsey scrambled eggs? no more poached egg in my momofuku ramen? the list just keeps on going. eggs are too perfect to be given up.

From Talk

DC and Arlington, VA

I would recommend not going to Jaleo. I have heard the Penn Quarter one is better, but the one in Bethesda is not good.

The chef at Citronelle recently opened a slightly more affordable restaurant in DC named Central, which was excellent the one time I ate there.

Amma and 2Amys are both excellent also.

From Serious Eats

Food Safety: A Change Is Gonna Come, But How Soon?

Definitely agreed with the above comment comparing this horrible legislation with CPSIA. Small farmers *will* *not* *exist* when this comes to pass, and Obama's Big Agriculture friends will have won the day. Very sad for Michelle Obama, who has apparently developed a taste for locally-farmed food.

Also -- Serious Eats, will you please stay out of politics? At least, you know, stick with the politics of Food Network or celebrity chefs or which molecular gastronomy chef is more true to his craft. I read this blog as a solace from the sound and fury of politics.

From Serious Eats

Costco is Selling Mexican Coke!

The mexican (non-HFCS) coke is VASTLY better than the cheap American made crap.

In fact, I was recently in London and the McDonalds there is edible, organic and much better tasting. Americans in general seem to like eating Sheisse.

I'm drinking a Mexico coke from a GLASS bottle (Glass doesn't have Bisphenol-A in it like cans.).

Also, recently, in the USA, it was discovered that there is MERCURY in High Fructose Corn Syrup - cheap, bad tasting and TOXIC.

A big fat F**K YOU to Coca Cola in Atlanta, I hope the current CEO and all executives die of prostate cancer for this.

See here for the mercury in US corn syrup:
http://uk.reuters.com/article/healthNews/idUKTRE50Q5IA20090127

Studies find mercury in much U.S. corn syrup
Tue Jan 27, 2009 6:15pm GMT WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Many common foods made using commercial high fructose corn syrup contain mercury as well, researchers reported on Tuesday, while another study suggested the corn syrup itself is contaminated.

In one study, published in the journal Environmental Health, former Food and Drug Administration scientist Renee Dufault and colleagues tested 20 samples of high fructose corn syrup and found detectable mercury in nine of the 20 samples.

Dufault said in a statement that she told the FDA about her findings but the agency did not follow up.

From Talk

Burgers in Bethesda

I've been to Burger Joint (I don't think it's called BGR) and it's pretty good, although not cheap - burger, fries and a soda will run you up about 15 dollars per person. And be firm about how you want your burger cooked.

If you feel like venturing up to Silver Spring or Arlington, check our Ray's the Classics or Ray's Hell Burgers. They taste amazing.

From Serious Eats

Seriously Delicious Holiday Giveaway: Edible Chocolate Box from Charles Chocolates

Thank you for participating, and congratulations to our winner: salthands. Winner has been notified by email and also appears on our Contest Winners page.

From Serious Eats

Seriously Delicious Holiday Giveaway: Edible Chocolate Box from Charles Chocolates

possibly the chocolate babka ice cream sundae I had for the first time last night.

From Serious Eats

Seriously Delicious Holiday Giveaway: Edible Chocolate Box from Charles Chocolates

Actually, one of my favorite things to eat chocolate or other wise is Nutella. I also love fudge.

From Serious Eats

Seriously Delicious Holiday Giveaway: Edible Chocolate Box from Charles Chocolates

My Mother's "Mystery Mocha Cake" - it's from an ancient newspaper column and it is wickely and yet divinely delicious: Premium dark chocolate blended with ultra rich, dark expresso and laced with chocolate or Irish Creme Liquor. The end result is an utterly delicious concoction that is a cross between a rich chewy brownie moulton cake,, oozing yumminess,

From Serious Eats

Seriously Delicious Holiday Giveaway: Edible Chocolate Box from Charles Chocolates

My favorite of all time is Texas Sheet Cake. It has a touch of cinnamon and the best icing ever.

From Serious Eats

Seriously Delicious Holiday Giveaway: Edible Chocolate Box from Charles Chocolates

One restaurant here in Pittsburgh makes a "chocolate-caramel candy bar" dessert that is INSANELY GOOD.

But I also like the homemade caramel fudge that a co-worker brought to our festive holiday gift exchange. Yum yum yum.

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