US: FDA knew of food contamination for years

The spate of recent outbreaks in the US underscores not only the vulnerability of the country’s human and animal food supplies at every stage of production and distribution, but also the role of government agencies, which are understaffed and rely on the agriculture companies to voluntarily police themselves. The Post reported on the documents in an article published April 23 (“FDA Was Aware of Dangers to Food,” by Elizabeth Williamson).

Food poisoning is excessively common in the US, with as many as 81 million cases each year, according to federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates, although for the most part only very serious cases are reported.

The country has experienced numerous outbreaks and recalls over the past nine months. Since August, thousands of reported illnesses have been attributed to tainted spinach, lettuce, carrot juice, tomatoes, candy, milk, green onions, ice cream, oysters and peanut butter. Other products, including potato salad, cantaloupes, and pancake mix have also been recalled.

Throughout these outbreaks, the FDA, which lacks the authority to issue mandatory recalls, has relied on the food industry to enforce its own voluntary safety standards—and what little authority the federal agency does have is not regularly exercised.

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http://wsws.org/articles/2007/apr2007/fda-a28.shtml