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From: mag@whuxlm.UUCP (Gray Michael A)
Newsgroups: net.consumers
Subject: Re: Foreign objects in food
Message-ID: <791@whuxlm.UUCP>
Date: Sun, 14-Jul-85 09:26:48 EDT
Article-I.D.: whuxlm.791
Posted: Sun Jul 14 09:26:48 1985
Date-Received: Wed, 17-Jul-85 04:19:34 EDT
References: <317@bdmrrr.UUCP> <203@SCIRTP.UUCP> <223@nsc-pdc.UUCP> <537@ttidcc.UUCP>
Organization: AT&T Bell Laboratories, Whippany
Lines: 19

> In article <223@nsc-pdc.UUCP> joemu@nsc-pdc.UUCP (Joe Mueller) writes:
> >                                         ... Actually I believe it is LEGAL
> >to have some bug parts in food, you just can't exceed some limit.
> 
> True.  The FDA actually publishes what they refer to as  "acceptable  filth
> levels" for certain types of foods.  Why the limit should be anything above
> zero is something you'll have to ask your congresscritter.
> -_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_
> The Polymath (aka: Jerry Hollombe)

Try asking a food scientist -- congress knows little about anything except
getting reelected.  The reason you can have bug parts in food is that it
is impractical (nearly impossible) to avoid.  Also, it doesn't necessarily
cause harm.  Consider honey, for example -- probably would be very hard
to eliminate insect parts.  As another example, a can of asparagus once
spent some time outdoors in a field.  Bugs landed on it, spit on it,
probably shit on it!  You can wash it forever, but you won't get everything.

Mike Gray