Imports Are on the Menu

President Clinton’s goal of improving the safety of imported foods has theoretically moved a step closer, thanks to a California congresswoman.

In the waning days of the most recent congressional session, Democratic Rep. Anna Eshoo of Palo Alto introduced legislation to give the federal Food and Drug Administration the authority to stop the importation of food that has not been prepared, packed and stored under conditions that meet U.S. quality standards. Clinton on Oct. 2 had announced his intention to seek such authority.

“We’ll be looking for sponsors [for the measure] over the next couple of months,” said Lewis Roth, a spokesman for Eshoo. Congress will reconvene in late January.

Clinton’s campaign to improve food safety comes at a time when outbreaks of food-borne illnesses are in the news with troubling regularity, raising concerns about the safety of all foods, imported and domestic. The United States relies increasingly on imports as consumers seek year-round access to berries and bell peppers. Last year, 38% of the fruit and 12% of the vegetables consumed by Americans came from overseas.

The bill would authorize the chronically understaffed FDA to beef up its ranks and increase scrutiny of farms and packinghouses in other countries and of food products at ports of entry. More than $20 million would be sought to enable the agency to hire additional inspectors.

Under the legislation, if an inspector is denied access to an overseas establishment or site where food is prepared, packed or tested, the agency can halt importation of that food into the U.S.

Clinton’s proposal is controversial. Foreign producers view it as an unfair trade barrier, whereas some consumer groups believe it does not go far enough. Epidemiologists also point out the vast majority of food-borne illnesses result from improper handling and preparation in home and restaurant kitchens.

To ensure greater safety of domestic produce, the president also directed the Department of Health and Human Services and the U.S. Department of Agriculture to work with the FDA and other agencies to devise guidelines for domestic growers and processors. On Monday, the first of a series of public meetings on that subject was held. Half a dozen other gatherings are scheduled through December, including one Dec. 10 in Salinas, Calif. Arthur Whitmore, an FDA spokesman, said the guidelines are expected to be issued early next year.

Cabernet and Carrots

The Wine Institute, a trade group in San Francisco, happily reported this week the release of the first vegetarian “diet pyramid” to include a mention of wine and other alcoholic beverages. Oldways Preservation & Exchange Trust, a Boston-based group that supports healthy dietary alternatives, suggests that every meal be built around vegetables, fruits, whole grains and legumes, with wine, beer and other alcohol listed as an optional component.

“From a public health perspective, it is settled science that regular moderate intake of alcohol has positive heart-health benefits for individuals not at risk,” the group said, noting that consumption should be avoided during pregnancy or whenever else it might endanger health. The pyramid was unveiled at the International Conference on Vegetarian Diets in Austin, Texas.

Stings and Arrows

Steer clear of any buzzing clouds that you might see at public parks and golf courses over the next couple of weeks. That’s the advice of entomologist Eric Mussen, who says Africanized honeybees, also known as killer bees, are swarming westward from the Imperial Valley in search of food. Many of the aggressive bees won’t find food by the end of November and will starve, said Mussen, a UC Cooperative Extension specialist at UC Davis. In the meantime, they pose a threat to individuals at sites with lots of plants and flowers.

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Martha Groves can be reached by fax at (213) 473-2480 or e-mail at martha.groves@latimes.com