February 23, 1999MOTION BY SUPERVISOR ZEV YAROSLAVSKY
A KCBS-TV Channel 2 News investigation broadcast on Sunday and Monday evenings concerning meat handling and food preparation practices of local food markets portrayed graphic evidence of highly questionable handling of food products destined for sale to the public. Numerous food handling practices were shown, including reprocessing of aging meats and contamination of delicatessen food products.
Among the most disturbing revelations emerging from the story is the alleged practice of repackaging and extending the sale/open dates of meat products whose dates have expired and which are in danger of spoiling. While the Department of Health Services reports that such activities may not violate public health codes, it calls into question the food labeling practices of markets misrepresenting their products in this manner.
The problems uncovered in these markets are compounded by the discovery that many of the markets depicted had allegedly received letter "A" grades from Los Angeles County food inspectors. While the County’s environmental health personnel have worked diligently to improve the effectiveness of the food inspection system, this kind of disclosure can threaten the credibility of the program.
The public must be assured that meat and other food products purchased in their local markets are wholesome. The Board should determine whether the activities shown in the KCBS-TV Channel 2 News story are isolated occurrences or reflect more widespread practices within the food distribution industry. In addition, we must reaffirm the integrity of the County’s food inspection system in monitoring the preparation and handling of food products.
I, THEREFORE, MOVE THAT THE BOARD instruct the Director of the Department of Health Services in conjunction with County Counsel and other appropriate departments, to review the preparation and sale of meat and other food products in food markets throughout Los Angeles County, and to report in two weeks with the following:
1) The status of applicable laws, regulations and industry practices concerning the preparation and labeling of meat and other food products. This should include a review of appropriate laws and enforcement options related to possible false advertising through food labeling and date stamping practices,
2) Current policies and procedures regarding the inspection and grading of food markets, including monitoring and sanctions currently in place to assure the public of the quality of food and meat products sold in Los Angeles County,
3) Recommendations regarding enforcement and organizational changes necessary to address any deficiencies in the County’s food inspection and quality control process, including necessary corrective actions concerning circumstances in which markets with improper food handling practices may receive high public health inspection ratings, and
4) Proposals for state legislation to assure appropriate public health standards in the preparation and sale of food and meat products, and to close any loopholes in food packaging practices to assure truth in labeling of food products where they are sold.
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