With the Senate expected to consider food safety legislation that gives the FDA additional oversight and enforcement powers, two organizations have turned a spotlight on the issue.
Poll and research data released today from the Make Our Food Safe Campaign and the Center for Foodborne Illness look at the long-term impacts of acute food-borne disease [Summary | Full report] and what the public thinks should be done to improve safety. The Center for Foodborne Illness says its report demonstrates the need for the reform of what it calls America’s “broken” food safety system.
According to CFI’s report, long-term effects are most likely to hit children, the elderly and the immune-suppressed.
The Make Our Food Safe campaign polled four states (Nevada, New Hampshire, North Carolina and Ohio) and found support for the federal government enacting new food safety measures, such as:
- Report tests that show contamination
- Tracing system
- Standards for produce growers
- FDA mandatory recall authority
- Equal food safety standards for imports
- Broad access to food company records
- FDA inspections every 6-12 months
The Make Our Food Safe campaign is a coalition of public health organizations, consumer organizations, and groups representing the families of victims of food-borne illness, including the American Public Health Association, Center for Science in the Public Interest, Consumers Union and others. The Center for Foodborne Illness is a nonprofit organization funded by donations from individuals and corporations, including one that specializes in food safety products and services, as well as the Produce Marketing Association and ConAgra foods.
