Rotary Log for August 20, 2015

Rotary Log for meeting of August 20, 2015

by Russ Grazier, Jr.

Photos by Tube Loch

President-elect James Petersen, filling in for President Bill, did an admirable job running the meeting. Bill was away lushing-it-up on a golf vacation.

Leo Gagnon kicked the meeting off with a request for volunteers for the United Way Day of Caring on September 11^th. Leo is in need of 10 volunteers for a Day of Caring project. Remember, the nonprofit you are helping provides all tools, materials and lunch. We just need workers – it’s a great way to make a difference!

We received reminders about the Friends Forever Uganda Celebration from 3 to 5pm on Monday, September 7^th at 3S Artspace. Also there’s the Polio Bridge Walk on October 24^th.

Next Leonard Seagren introduced the newest member of our club, Joe Cunningham, a former Wolfeboro Club Rotarian.

Past President Diane introduced another Past President, Mike Asselin. Mike presented Paul Harris awards to two of his grandchildren, Alexander and Noah Cleary. The boys have given extraordinary volunteer work to Special Olympics and are dedicated to helping the disabled. Both have also given Mike much to be proud of. They were duly surprised, but with big smiles, at the unexpected recognition.

Our guest speaker was David Mosian, a consultant to the seafood industry. In the past David has worked for the Department of Commerce and the National Fisheries Service. He spoke to us about food safety, particularly seafood.

David began his career in the food industry in 1972 in the kitchen of his local International House of Pancakes. He learned a lot in that early role. Later Mosian embarked on a career in food consulting and regulation.

David explains that the government has long-standing inspection requirements for poultry, beef, dairy, eggs, pork, and veal industries. But the regulations in the fishing industry are relatively new and are not at an equal level of scrutiny. Unlike other food industries, fisheries are not required to have an inspector on site in their plant. Still, most of the larger factories do hire inspectors.

David walked the club through a history of food safety. He discussed the advent of canning, pasteurization and the impact of Upton Sinclair’s seminal work “The Jungle.” Sinclair’s food safety revelations led to the creation of the USDA and FDA in the early 20^th century.

David also touched on Clarence Birdseye’s innovative flash-freezing process. He further explained how Edward Deming created a revolution in mass production with Statistical Process Control.

David finished by talking about his work auditing domestic and foreign fish plants. He said that 85% of the fish consumed in the United States comes from other countries. With recent scares, such as food issues in China, David suggested that we ask ourselves some important questions before purchasing seafood. Specifically, is the fish local? Where did it come from? Has it been previously frozen?

David said that most seafood is very safe, including farmed fish. But he further stressed that it’s important to be an informed consumer to avoid any pitfalls.

Respectfully submitted by Russ Grazier, Jr.