"flitterbit" > wrote:
> Steve Pope wrote:
>> I think the biggest barrier is psychological -- the overriding
>> assumption that all foods on offer in the U.S. are safe is the
>> main barrier. It's hard to break from habit and preconceived
>> notions, even when your intellect tells you they are wrong.
>
> You've nailed it: people assume that all the food available is safe because
> if it weren't, it wouldn't be available ; ) The fact that it isn't always
> true doesn't even cross their minds.

That just shows how much times have changed. There was a default assumption for
a long time in the USA that foods were safe. That came about for several
reasons. First there were major food and drug scandals in the early part of the
20th century, and regulations and inspection procedures were created to deal
with the problem. It was believed that anyone that violated the standards would
be investigated and charged, and that there were actually penalties expected as
a result. In addition to that, there was a value system (much different than in
China) that discouraged that kind of behavior to begin with.

This all started to change when the "government is bad" and "competition will
solve all problems (capitalism)" mantras were advanced by one of the major
political parties in the USA and started to become public policy. I'd say it
started about 26 years ago. Now you've got people who only seem to know that way
of thinking, who consider it a a sign of stupidity to think "all food is safe".
We are back to "caveat emptor" being the operational principle.

Just as a matter of curiosity, how old are Steve Pope and flitterbit? Perhaps
that might indicate why they have the viewpoints they do. For reference, my age
is 53.

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