Food Safety

A recent survey reports that a large percentage of U.S. consumers do not trust the federal government when it comes to ensuring food safety. Truly that comes as no surprise, at least it shouldn’t. After numerous food recalls and salmonella outbreaks, do they really expect the U.S. consumer to continue on their merry way as if nothing has happened? Some administrators in the Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety Division have stated that “if people are truly concerned about food safety, they need to voice those concerns to the Legislature.” Many of us consumers are starting to feel like Horton’s little friends in “Horton Hears a Who”; we’re shouting with all of our might but no one seems to be listening. Then there is the matter of money; isn’t it always. Food production plants already spend billions on food safety and yet report needing more funds to improve food safety inspections. Does it really take millions or billions to know that animal droppings and unsanitary work areas do not belong in a food production facility? Apparently, it does.