Health Journalism 2011: Can the FDA ensure food safety?

Food safety experts discussed the impact of the Food Safety Modernization Act, signed into law on Jan. 4, and the Food and Drug Administration's potential to prevent  future contamination  and related disease outbreaks.

Michael Taylor, J.D., deputy commissioner for food at the FDA, emphasized that the law will move his agency's focus from reaction to prevention and  partnership with industry, consumers, and agencies ranging from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to state and foreign governments.

There are still questions about how the increased vigilance will be funded and how to improve the safety of meat and poultry, which are not under the purview of the FDA.