17.jul.07
WSMV Channel 4 (Nashville)
Tom Randles
http://www.wsmv.com/health/13691420/detail.html
NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- A 38-page report from the Food and Drug Administration, called "The Food Defect Action Levels Report," was cited as saying that residents can expect to find any number of parts from insects in ground cinnamon, cocoa powder, canned corn and tomatoes.
The government calls them "natural or unavoidable defects in food that present no health hazard to humans."
But you won't find any of this stuff listed on food labels. One shopper was surprised by the findings.
The story says that the FDA claims it set these standards because "it's economically impractical to grow, harvest or process raw products that are totally free of non-hazardous, naturally occurring, unavoidable defects."
That means canned peaches could contain a small amount of mold, worms and insect larvae.
Here's what the FDA said about a staple found in most homes, peanut butter: One or more rodent hairs or 30 or more insect parts is acceptable in every 100 grams.
The story notes the Food Defect Action Levels Report isn't something new. It was published more than 10 years ago.
The FDA declined an interview request.