Americans Want Immediate Passage of Food Safety Legislation
Poll shows than an overwhelming majority of Americans want Congress to give FDA additional authority.
Compiled by staff
Published: Jul 12, 2010
The Consumers Union released the results of a poll Monday that showed 80% of Americans want Congress to pass food safety legislation that would give the Food and Drug Administration the power to recall food when health and safety are in danger. The legislation passed the House of Representatives last year, but awaits action in the Senate.
"The overwhelming majority of Americans want Congress to make our food safe now," said Jean Halloran, Director of Food Policy Initiatives for Consumers Union. "Most people are shocked to find out that FDA can't even order a recall-it must request companies to voluntarily retrieve contaminated food. It is essential that the Senate pass S. 510, the bi-partisan FDA Food Safety Modernization Act, before it adjourns in early August."
According to the Centers for Disease Control more than 76 million Americans get sick from contaminated food, with 325,000 hospitalized and 5,000 dying each year. The Institute of Medicine and National Research Council recently released a report showing gaps in the FDA's current performance in food safety, and recommending that Congress increase the agency's authority to act.
The poll can be found online by clicking HERE.
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Tagged: FDA, Food and Drug Administration
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