Pallet Debate Still on Fire; Risk to Food Supply Now in Dispute

MHM was first to report the initial debate sparked by the release of a draft code bulletin from the National Association of State Fire Marshals.

Soon after, allegations among wood and plastic pallet makers and suppliers spread furiously, focusing first on each platform’s fire risk and then escalating to claims of toxicity.

As the Food Safety Enhancement Act of 2009 (H.R. 2749) makes its way to the Senate, the pallet debate is picking up steam once again.

On Aug. 11, iGPS Co. called on the U.S. FDA to “launch a comprehensive investigation of wood pallets and the risks they may pose to the nation’s food supply.”

Bob Moore, chairman and CEO of iGPS, drafted a letter to Dr. Stephen F. Sundlof, director of the FDA’s Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, and Michael R. Taylor, senior advisor to the commissioner.

“Wood pallets may present a serious risk to America’s food supply,” says Bob Moore, chairman and CEO of iGPS. “The over 1 billion wood pallets in circulation in the U.S. are a breeding ground for harmful bacteria and carry other undesirable substances that can cross-contaminate food. Wood is inherently porous and can easily absorb bacteria and fluids, creating a risk for food products where Listeria, E. coli and salmonella are a concern.”

Moore goes on to say wood pallets made with “engineered wood components” contain urea formaldehyde, which he says is a “known carcinogen, which may come into contact with food under a variety of scenarios when it is stored and shipped on wooden pallets.”

In addition, he claims “wood pallets are susceptible to insect infestation and require heat treatment or fumigation before they can be moved cross-border.” Fumigation is done with methyl bromide, he says, adding that the substance is “a highly toxic, ozone-depleting chemical.” Moore also points out a potential risk of rusty nails penetrating food packaging.

“The use of wood pallets to carry our food supply is increasingly difficult to justify, especially when it is so vulnerable to contamination,” says Moore. “Wood pallets are so unhygienic that the FDA has explicitly recommended that they not be used in connection with food preparation–but more analysis is needed.

“We call upon the FDA to launch a full investigation into the use of wood pallets in connection with the storage and shipment of our country’s food,” he concludes. “The health and safety of the American public dictates nothing less.”