EColi-Who Should We Blame?

[socialistcelt]

I am interested to know who people are blaming over the current EColi outbreak. Is it the Government? Increasing the amount spent on each child and on the other hand cutting back on costs behind closed doors-meaning getting cheaper catering companies to supply the schools. Is it the Local Councils? failing to make checks on companies before issuing them with contracts. Is it the Food Industry?
This is not a poll, just a general discussion.

[LilMissHissyFit]

Well I live in the area, have kids and thank my lucky stars my kids dont have it and havent got it yet and blame? if there is anyone to blame Ima guessing it would be the butchers they sourced the outbreak to and their lack of hygeiene measures ( theyve had enforcement notices slapped on them over cleaning practices to seems)

Personally I think alot of parents arent blaming 'the government' but want answers as to why this happened to children.The main topic of conversation at the mo is 'are we safer not allowing any of them to eat school dinners'

[socialistcelt]

It will be interesting to see who heads the inquiry committee. Personally I think at least with the opposition parties involved there is more chance of the truth coming out but who knows, it will be a good one to follow.

It must have been a worry though for you to live in the area affected. I hated school dinners but at least you knew what you were eating was fresh food and not a mixture of chemicals, animal bits and any other old rubbish they can chuck in and legally call it food. Complacency seems to have set in as well as the rot. When will it stop?

[LilMissHissyFit]

It stopped in our house about 2 years ago. My Daughter needs a wheat free diet so I went into school to enquire about a 'menu' which would be suitable.
Almost all the food presented for my 'consideration' when 'menu planning ( what a laugh :rolleyes: ) was processed mush.
They proudly said they only served chips once a week, every other day was smileys, croquettes, saute potatoes, roasties, waffles( same horse different jockey). Curried and casseroles were available but never served becuase 'they wont eat them'( well obviously not when they arent even ordered in or served up) :rolleyes: The menu went out of the window about 2 weeks later when the cook started mixing and matching the foods my Daughter was allowed to eat and started serving baked beans, tuna and chips ( on same plate together)etc :eek:
This seems to be indicative on caerphilly caterers attitude towards school meals I'm afraid and its all mass produced , cheap, shoddily supplied crap
Then along came Jamie oliver and suddenly Caerphilly caters shit themselves a bit and presented a bit of veg every day next to whatever crap is served. Not a great effort to be honest and certainly not enough for me to even contemplate my kids being allowed anywhere near school dinners unless its an emergency ( their drink leaks over their lunch and Im 20 miles away etc)
You pay for crap you get crap and it means suppliers are supplying crap and cutting corners to cut costs

[socialistcelt]

This is an interesting view on things:

http://www.socialistunitynetwork.co.uk/voices/stoppoisoning.htm

unfortunately, it is too late for some children.

[ddraig]

it's really sad and upsetting :mad:
i blame the disgusting butchers in bridgend (anyone see the pic in the echo! :eek: ), whoever is sposed to be keeping them in check and the whole shody catering contract milarkee.

i can only hope that this might help people see that eating a vegetarian diet is far less risky

[nwnm]

I think what has happened to the food industry the growth of Agri-business,and the speed upds in slaghter houses with the attendant cross infection before meat even gets to the butchers is terrifying. I take it everyones read Eric Schlosser's 'Fast Food Nation' by now. If so can I also recommend 'Fatland' by Greg Critser and 'Not on The Label' by Felicity Lawrence. For another dimension to the food we eat also check out these 2 links -
http://www.socialistreview.org.uk/article.php?articlenumber=9275

http://www.socialistreview.org.uk/article.php?articlenumber=9379

Like LMHF I won't let my kids eat school dinners. The last time they did one of em said they never wanted to again as they found mould goeing on there mousse! If they need penicilin they can get it on prescription :mad:

[lewislewis]

There needs to be a national board to carry out regular inspections of food sources for schools in Wales. This could be run by local authorities of the Welsh parliament. If there is one, more money should be spent to improve/strengthen it!