To the Point
This Time It's Peanuts: Food Scares and Food Production
Contaminated peanuts have been linked to deaths and illness, and have landed owners of a peanut-processing plant in front of a House subcommittee. Since 2002, there've been more than half a dozen bacteria-related food contaminations. Guest host Sara Terry explores the vulnerability of the nation's food supply. How rigorous are the standards for protecting it? Also, Judd Gregg pulls out, eroding President Obama's efforts of bipartisanship, and trashed in space. When satellites collide, who cleans up?
By Sara Terry • • 1h 0m ListenIn the latest salmonella scare, contaminated peanuts have been linked to deaths and illness, and have landed owners of a peanut-processing plant in front of a House subcommittee. Since 2002, there've been more than half a dozen bacteria-related food contaminations. Guest host Sara Terry explores the vulnerability of the nation's food supply. Also, Commerce Secretary-nominee Gregg pulls out, eroding President Obama's efforts of bipartisanship, and when satellites collide it makes a big mess in space. Wednesday's unprecedented crash has sent out hundreds of chunks of debris that could hit other satellites in orbit.
Banner image: Chairman Bart Stupak (D-MI) (L) watches as Rep. Greg Walden (R-OR)(R) holds up a jar of candy peanut products while questioning Stewart Parnell, owner and president of the Peanut Corporation of America who refused to answer questions during a House Energy and Commerce Committee hearing on Capitol Hill February 11, 2009 in Washington, DC. Photo: Mark Wilson/Getty Images
In this episode
3 storiesGregg Pulls Out, Eroding Obama's Efforts of Bipartisanship
Senator Judd Gregg of New Hampshire dealt the Obama Administration a blow on Thursday when he abruptly withdrew as the President's nominee for Commerce Secretary. A fiscal conservative, the Republican Senator said it would be “very difficult, day in and day out,” to serve in an Obama cabinet.
Read the story6 minThis Time It's Peanuts: Food Scares and Food Production
In the largest food recall in US history, more than eighteen hundred products containing peanuts have been pulled from grocery shelves. A salmonella contamination in peanuts has been linked to nine deaths and six hundred illnesses. The outbreak is the latest in a long line of food scares.
Read the story35 minSatellites' Collision Creates More Orbiting Space Debris
On Wednesday, a Russian and American satellite in space ran into each other head on. Both weighed more than half a ton and were traveling at 17,500 miles an hour.
Read the story8 min