Safe Food: Bacteria, biotechnology, and bioterrorism

This new book presents the thesis that food safety is a political issue, and introduces a range of safety concerns that should become salient issues of discussion in the classroom and should be read and discussed in university departments that prepare students for work in food-related fields.

Abstract

Book reviewcarefully documented cases, likely to prove useful to readers who approach the text with a view to making up their minds and irritating to those who feel themselves criticized.It is balanced in the sense that one cannot claim that Nestle disregards science-based arguments regarding the safety of food biotechnology, merely that she respects the legitimacy of value-based concerns about genetically modified foods.These include concerns with regard to the environment, health, and the rights of consumers to choose, which in turn impose demands regarding such issues as contamination, traceability, and labeling.Given the interests at stake in these issues, some readers may wish to interpret this stance as support for the anti-biotechnology lobby.This book should be read and discussed in university departments that prepare students for work in food-related fields.It introduces a range of safety concerns that should become salient issues of discussion in the classroom.Its weaker points include a somewhat narrow focus upon national issues.There is a tendency to equate government agencies with existing U.S. institutions, while suggesting in passing that control systems in some European countries are more effective; equally, there is a tendency to equate science with the natural as opposed to the social sciences, neglecting much relevant social research with regard to globalization, distribution networks, and consumption, as well as such issues as trust and accountability.No book, however, can reasonably be expected to cover the entire field.This one raises many important issues and does it well.