Safe Food: Bacteria, Biotechnology, and Bioterrorism, by Nestle M. Berkely, Calif: University of California Press; 2003. Hardcover, 350 pages.

Safe Food follows Food Politics, published in 2001, by the same author. Colleagues reviewing initial work on the earlier book recommended "pulling out" the food safety information and devoting a second publication to that topic. I couldn't agree more. The 350 pages of this book, including about 45 pages of reference notes and a 25 page comprehensive index, are packed with detailed information on food safety that goes beyond and in greater depth than any newspaper stories, articles, or other texts with which I am familiar.

The book begins with an engaging and in depth review of the Starlink incident. This is the case where Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) corn, * which had been approved for use in animals, found its way into corn products, tacos, cereal, etc, being sold to you and me. This example is great to "kick off" the book because it is rather recent, we have all heard of it and read news reports in newspapers and journals, and especially because it sets the stage for the complexities of the parameters around the food safety issue.

Using three broad approaches: science, values, and politics, Dr Nestle explores the food safety issue of bacterial contamination, genetic alteration of biotechnology, and "opportunities" that surround bioterrorism.

Part 1 explores the issues of bacterial contamination and industry and consumer rights and responsibilities. The widely used example is E. coli 0157:H7. Through contamination primarily of beef, the story of bacterial food safety and its scientific, societal values, and political actions and reactions are described. Part 1 opens with an overview chapter and concludes with a chapter entitled: Achieving Food Safety: Alternatives. This chapter outlines the author's suggestions and solutions for our ongoing food safety problems in the bacteriological arena.

Part 2 delves into the "ironic politics of food biotechnology." This section of the book draws on 2 well-publicized biotech products. Starlink corn, as I mentioned earlier, and, as is described in the book, "the poster child for the benefits of genetically modified foods, Golden Rice." You recall that this type of rice has beta-carotene bioengineered into the rice grains, adding the precursor for vitamin A, a much-needed nutrient in many countries and giving the rice a "golden" color. There are no easy answers to the issues surrounding genetically modified foods, especially with the more modern techniques of biotechnology.

The concluding section of the book, 25 pages, explores a relatively unknown area for food safety, bioterrorism. With these techniques there is the intention to cause harm, no matter who gets hurt. How can public health measures protect humans and the food supply? You'll have to get a copy of this book to find out.

Reading about the scientific, societal values, and economic/political perspective of the major concerns of food safety is truly eye-opening. As the book points out, food safety is relative. The current problems are not new but different. No current dietitians or nutritionists should consider themselves "well read" until and unless they have read this book and the several others of similar nature. In addition, this book and its predecessor, Food Politics, make excellent textbooks for classroom discussions.

*A common soil bacterium which is toxic to pests was genetically engineered into the tissue of corn. [Context Link]