A letter I wrote today

August 23, 2008

The Honourable Tony Clement, P.C., M.P.
Health Canada
Brooke Claxton Building, Tunney's Pasture
Postal Locator: 0906C
Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0K9

Dear Mr. Clement,

As a woman currently trying to start a family, I have done a lot of research on what foods I should and shouldn’t eat. In the course of my research I have discovered some information which may be of interest to you. I refer you to the following webpage:

http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/hl-vs/iyh-vsv/food-aliment/listeria-eng.php#ro.

The site details the Health Canada recommendations on the avoidance of listeriosis. Pregnant women (along with their unborn and newborn children), the elderly and those with weakened immune systems are identified as being especially at risk. A quick scroll down the page reveals a table of suggestions from your ministry in which high risk individuals are advised to avoid eating non-dried deli meats. Towards the bottom of the page we are reminded that “Health Canada also briefs the medical community, public health officials, the food industry and the public on matters related to listeriosis.”

Why are hospitals and nursing homes allowed to knowingly feed their vulnerable patients foods which may cause them harm? Should the Canadian patient have to question the diet provided for them by medical professionals?

In my opinion this recent outbreak of Listeria monocytogenes is a tragic symptom of a flawed government approach to hospital food safety. The sick and the elderly should not be subject to sub-standard diets and poor nutrition. High risk individuals should have specialized meals to avoid ALL risks of foodborne illness. This should be law and not merely suggestion.

Sincerely,

Heather Livingstone