In one way, the country's biggest-ever meat recall is like all the rest: It's voluntary.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture can encourage companies to take dangerous meat products off the market. While it lacks the authority for the kind of mandatory recalls that are widespread in other kinds of consumer products, the department also can, as The New York Times recently noted, withdraw its inspectors from a plant, creating real pressure. But even that is a half-measure because there are too few federal inspectors available. It's time to hire more.
In a wide-ranging paper on food safety issues earlier this year, the Center for Science in the Public Interest noted other problems with food recalls. The Food and Drug Administration, which regulates more food products than Agriculture, lacks authority to order recalls, except in the case of contaminated infant formula. Otherwise, the FDA would have to go to court against a recalcitrant producer.
"Mandatory recall authority would ensure that recalled foods are removed from the market more quickly and effectively," the Center wrote. As illustrated by the recall of meat, much of it already consumed, effectiveness is anything but guaranteed.
The CSPI says several proposals in Congress would establish recall authority while addressing such related issues as better traceability of food products, inspectors' ability to detain suspect imported or domestic foods, new civil and criminal penalties for food safety law violations and whistle-blower protections. The Safe Food Act, proposed by Sen. Richard Durbin and Rep. Rosa DeLauro, would address all the recall issues while making a host of other improvements to food inspection, research and education. Strong legislation is needed to create progress from several years of shocks about contamination in everything from imported fish to U.S.-grown vegetables.
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