New Report Says FDA Needs Revamping

(From Change.org)

As if we needed any more evidence that the food safety system in this country is dysfunctional, a new report found that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is — wait for it — unequipped to handle problems with the food supply and in need of major revamping.

The report was issued yesterday by the Institute of Medicine (IOM) and the National Research Council at the request of Congress. Authors recommend that the FDA take a risk-based, proactive approach to food safety at every stage of production, provide standards for inspections, and have mandatory recall authority over the roughly 80 percent of the nation's food supply it's responsible for overseeing.

"FDA uses some risk assessment and management tactics," said committee chair Robert Wallace, "but the agency's approach is too often reactive and lacks a systematic focus on prevention. Our report's recommendations aim to help FDA achieve a comprehensive vision for proactively protecting against threats to the nation's food supply."

Oh, and to do that, Congress is going to need to enact legislation that is unsurprisingly similar to the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act, which has already passed the House of Representatives and has been pending in the Senate for seven months now. Congress asked for an expert opinion, and now they have it. It's time for them to act.

In a written statement, FDA commissioner Dr. Margaret Hamburg concluded that "the report clearly highlights the need for enactment of pending legislation that provides much-needed authorities and resources to assist in our efforts to ensure the safety of our nation's food supply."

There's nothing particularly new or shocking within this report. For anyone who even casually follows food safety issues, everything about this report should be familiar. What is perhaps most shocking is how painfully clear it is that our food safety system is broken. While a viable solution is within reach, the Senate refuses to take the necessary action. How many more Americans must die or become ill before the Senate reads the writing on the wall?

One simple vote could transform our nation's food safety system. Sure, it won't be perfect, and certain interests groups have legitimate concerns about the pending legislation's potential impacts. But it will be a positive step for consumers, food producers, and our country. Tell your senators to bring S. 510, the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act, to the floor for a full vote.