The Sept. 20 article "Tainted rice scandal swallows Ota" highlights a few things:
• Either regulations cost too much to implement, or company officials really don't care about humanity.
• Government food safety and inspection officials are getting paid to do nothing. With Japan's bureaucracy, taxpayers should wonder what they are really paying for.
• Buying from your local farmer should be your first option before going foreign, if you can help it.
• Do those who kill themselves after unethical and immoral behavior deserve our sympathy (I feel for the families)?

I usually try to buy local food as much as possible because in most cases I can be assured that the food I'm eating is safe. I actually shake hands with the farmers and producers. It gives me greater satisfaction. I might pay a bit more, but in most cases I don't. In these economic times where prices often make our decisions, we still need to keep up with safety standards. The fact that 370 other companies were involved in this scandal sends a shiver down my spine, and so it should others.

wayne malcolm