Ulster County News

FROM: ULSTER COUNTY PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICE

DATE: October 20, 2004 

PRESS RELEASE                             October 19, 2004

Legislator Robert Aiello-R Saugerties

246-4028 home or 246-3775 work

According to Legislator Robert Aiello, R-Saugerties, close to 80 million Americans become ill after consuming contaminated food. "According to a published report, 325,000 are hospitalized and more than 5,000 people die each year," said Aiello. Five mysterious Ulster County deaths tested for a variant form of Mad Cow Disease are prompting Aiello to present a memorializing resolution at the November session "that would compel the meat industry in New York State to notify state health officials of retailers that have received recalled meat."

According to Aiello, no federal agency can require a food manufacturer to remove a contaminated product from the market with the exception of infant formula. "The United States Department of Agriculture’s web site lists only the food manufacturer and not the names of supermarkets or restaurants who sold recalled food and that needs to be changed," said Aiello.

Currently, states can sign a Memorandum of Understanding with the USDA, which would release more information to certain officials but that information can not be shared with local health officials or the public. Currently 11 states have signed MOA’s. Aiello said people are becoming frightened that the recent Ulster County deaths may have been related to contaminated food and more has to be done to locate the source.