REPORT CRITICIZES FOOD INSPECTION SYSTEM
News Date May 06, 2008
The Trust for America's Health (TFAH) released a new report on April 30 that says major gaps exist in the nation's food safety system including obsolete laws, misallocation of resources, and inconsistencies among major food safety agencies. TFAH calls for a series of actions to modernize the food safety system by using strategic inspection practices and state-of-the-art surveillance.
Some of the recommendations include: 1) repeal outdated end-product and processing plant inspection mandates and shift the emphasis of inspection practices to the prevention of outbreaks and illnesses through the entire food production process and supply chain; 2) create mechanisms that allow inspection practices to keep pace with changes in the industry; 3) establish uniform performance standards and best practices that are enforceable through actions including detention and recall authority and civil penalty authority; and 4) require food safety education for commercial food handlers.
The report also says that fixing food safety will require a collaborative effort by food producers, processors, distributors, retailers, and consumers, combined with strong leadership from the federal, state, and local government. The report is available at: http://healthyamericans.org/reports/foodsafety08/. (Contact: Charlie Ingram)