Globalization essay draft 2

Globalization is the process that has allowed the world to become integrated and interdependent. Globalization has brought about a rise in the production of goods and services. The process has enabled free movement of capital, goods and services and expanded international trade. Globalization has changed the world economies and the lives of people. People are exposed to a variety of foods and other products from other countries. Although, people are able to enjoy a diversity of food, contaminated food from global sources can also have a direct impact on them. In 2007, frozen meat and vegetable dumplings imported from China contained pesticide causing food poisoning in Japan (Chanda, 2013). With the rise in food scandals occurring around Singapore, the Singapore government has to be vigilant and ensure that regulations are secure to protect consumers from being affected by contaminated food from global sources.        

In 2008, melamine contaminated milk products took the lives of at least 6 children and caused 300,000 children to fall ill (Branigan, 2009). Singapore, Malaysia, Japan and Hong Kong made a move to ban and recall Chinese dairy products in 2008 (Klamann, 2008). Singapore is highly reliant on imported food thus there is a high risk of Singapore being susceptible to food scandals (Tan, 2013). Singapore has to be alert in ensuring that imports are safe for consumption as tainted food can bring about severe socio-economic consequences. Food safety in Singapore should not be taken for granted.

Currently, the Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority of Singapore (AVA) has strict requirements for imported and locally manufactured food to comply with. The import of meat and meat products are authorized only from approved sources. Imports must have a health certificate by a veterinary authority of the country of origin to certify that Singapore's animal health and food safety requirements are met (AVA, 2013). Imports with high risks are required to be sent for testing to certify the safety of the imported food (Singapore customs, 2013). The government also encourages with the food industry to guarantee the safety of food provided through awarding food safety excellence and food safety partners’ awards for their commitment. Products that are harmful will continuously arise as producers find ways to cut costs by using cheap chemicals as substitutes or when animal epidemics occur. The government has to ensure that methods used to test for poisonous substances in imported food are reliable and constantly upgraded.

As the saying goes, prevention is better than cure. The government agency AVA should also work closely with food safety authorities internationally to share information and work on protecting the health of consumers. This way, when a certain food is found to be affecting the health of consumers, the food safety authority of that country will pass information regarding the food scandal on to the food safety authorities in other countries immediately to prevent the problem from escalating. In preventing contaminated food from being consumed, consumers are protected from harm. Issues such as consumers distrust arising from unethical selling of tainted food would not exist.

References

Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority of Singapore (AVA). (2013). Requirements to

Import, Export and Transship Food. Retrieved October 12, 2013, from http://www.ava.gov.sg/AVA/Templates/AVA-GenericContentTemplate.aspx?NRMODE=Published&NRNODEGUID=%7b2BA0A4AA-05D8-4E3C-A8F9-60F26F90EA76%7d&NRORIGINALURL=%2fFoodSector%2fImportExportTransOfFood%2fReqToImportExportTransshipFood%2f&NRCACHEHINT=Guest#begin

Branigan, T. (2009, November 24). China executes two for tainted milk scandal.

theguardian. Retrieved from http://www.theguardian.com/world/2009/nov/24/china-executes-milk-scandal-pair

Chanda, N. (2013, April 4). One man’s meat is another man’s poison. YaleGlobal

online. Retrieved from http://yaleglobal.yale.edu/content/one-man’s-meat-another-man’s-poison

Klamann,  E. (2008, September 20). China Orders recalls as milk scandal widens.

Reuters. Retrieved from http://www.reuters.com/article/2008/09/20/us-china-milk-idUSSHA8903920080920

Singapore customs.(2013). Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority (Processed Food).

Retrieved October 10, 2013,from http://www.customs.gov.sg/leftNav/trad/TradeNet/Agri-Food+and+Veterinary+Authority+(Processed+Food).htm

Tan, P.H. (2013, July 19). Opening remarks by Ms Tan Po Hong, chief executive

officer, agri-food and veterinary authority of Singapore, at AVA’s food safety awards night on 19 July 2013. Retrieved October 10,2013, from http://www.ava.gov.sg/NR/rdonlyres/9253E7B2-E57D-4992-982C-1304E73748D6/26395/CEOsSpeechforFoodSafetyAwardsNight13_Final.pdf