Too Many Cooks (Are Making Food Safety Mistakes)

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I suspect that people who cook at home are the worst violators of cross contamination and other food-safety violations. In my own fridge there is chicken, fried almost a week ago. But I eat it anyway. Not all the canned food in my cupboard is younger than the expiration dates on the can. But I eat it anyway. Use a different knife for fish and anything else? As a fisherman and outdoorsman, I can say it doesn't happen here!
The worst food poisoning I ever had came after eating at a church social. Somebody there messed up badly, and I don't think it was me. But it could have been. I feel a lot safer eating in restaurants. At least the food handlers there wear plastic gloves!

BMI 25 of TX 9:40AM June 24, 2010

I think it's probably worse than stated. Does anyone watch Gordon Ramsay's "Kitchen Nightmares"? These are restaurants that are attempting to turn themselves around by asking for help. They are often found to be filthy, and they must realize the findings are televised. Knowing that they will be on tv, I can only think that they must have attempted to clean up and the dirt that is found is considered acceptable by the owners. I don't know if there's bias, but it seems as though all the dirtiest eating establishments are found in the good ol' U.S.A.
When building contractors hire illegals and cut corners in New York cranes and debris fly from the skies and people often die, but that means many witnesses on the streets. When food establishments are corrupt or sloppy the situation is more private and often harder to prove.
I think, because of this many cases of food poisoning are unreported.
I remember my father's friend, a rancher, meeting us at the airport bragging that the food he serves his guests is from private stock and not the food he sells to the public. This is the only way he could stay competitive in business.
England inspects every head of cattle for mad cow, while we inspect none or almost none. Our food is tainted before it ever reaches the restaurants.

Joan Dalton of AL 12:51PM June 14, 2010