A spiritual response to food contamination

BY COLLEEN DOUGLASS

From The United States, to Canada, and other countries as well, the news has carried stories of various contaminated food products ranging from tainted meats, spinach, and tomatoes to melamine-laced pet food. Recently, a major salmonella outbreak associated with peanut butter has made many headlines.

These examples seem a very far cry from the association of food with family and fellowship. Clearly, fear shouldn't be associated with food. For a couple of years, the United States Congress has been deliberating a Safe Food Act that would bring all food regulation under one administrative roof. This would eliminate the current confusing mix of government departments that presently oversee food issues.

Other countries also attempt to regulate the purity of the food they produce for their citizens and for export. But regulations can't eliminate the possibility that someone somewhere might be careless. So how can we expect to feel safe about the food we eat? This question presents two facets that can be addressed through prayer.