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Listeria hysteria
Friday September 5 2008
 
Political reaction to the deadly contamination of meat products linked to a Toronto-based Maple Leaf Foods plant has been predictably uninspiring
Instead of seizing the opportunity to demonstrate sensitivity and leadership skills, some of our elected officials in Ottawa have engaged in finger-pointing while others have practically patted themselves on the back.
In the almost two-week period since the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) issued its first warning that Maple Leaf Foods products may be contaminated with listeria monocytogenes, opportunism has ruled the day, with one notable exception.
As news broke that a food-borne outbreak of listeria was responsible for multiple deaths, federal Liberal health critic Carolyn Bennett was quick to offer condolences to families affected and was just as swift to blame her Conservative opponents.
“I’m sure that all officials involved are working their hardest to ensure the health and safety of Canadians, but this incident highlights the dangers of the Conservative decision to abandon key food inspections, and cut funding to critical food safety programming.”
Meanwhile, Health Minister Tony Clement had the gall to suggest that the Maple Leaf Foods recall demonstrated the effectiveness of Canada’s food safety systems.
We doubt loved ones of the 12 (and counting) Canadians whose lives were cut short by listeriosis would agree that the system that is supposed to prevent human illness from tainted food is a well-oiled machine.
When a crisis of a national magnitude occurs, ordinary Canadians count on their leaders to provide a calming influence, creative solutions and assurances that measures will be taken to ensure it won’t happen again.
Instead, what we’ve been fed is an unhealthy dose of listeria hysteria, fuelled by some who would view this tragedy as an opportunity for political —  even financial —  gain.