The Codex Alimentarius, the international food safety standards body that advises the World Trade Organization, is considering a proposal that would allow an "acceptable" level of Listeria monocytogenes in foods.  Right now, the United States has a "zero tolerance" standard for this foodborne pathogen.  Can you help us keep Listeria out of our food supply?

Changing the international standard could force our government to accept imported food items that do not meet our food safety standards. Those who are advocating this change argue that some Listeria monocytogenes in foods can be tolerated by most people and it is virtually impossible to guarantee the complete absence of Listeria monocytogenes in food.

In Europe and in Canada, where the weaker standard is already in place, there has been an increase in the incidence of consumers getting sick from foods contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes in recent years.

The lower standard will be debated before the Codex Committee on Food Hygiene in early December.  The Committee will accept comments from interested parties until November 15, 2008.  Tell the Codex Committee that you are opposed to lowering food safety standards for imported foods: Act now.