Is The Food Safety Working Group Still Working?
On March 14, 2009, President Obama announced the creation of the Food Safety Working Group. The group is currently chaired by Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius and Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack.
Appearing after the PCA peanut butter outbreak and recall, the Working Group was formed in response to an increasing number of foodborne illness outbreaks in recent years, and was tasked with the responsibility of recommending changes to food safety regulations, fostering better coordination between federal agencies, and ensuring the enhanced enforcement of numerous food safety laws.
In May 2009, the Working Group launched its website (foodsafetyworkinggroup.gov) and held a public “listening day” to solicit input from federal and state health officials, food industry, consumers and others. Then, four months following its creation, the Working Group announced its three core principles: (1) working to prevent harm to consumers as a first priority; (2) recognizing that effective food safety inspections and enforcement depend upon good data and analysis; (3) committing to quickly identify and stop foodborne illness outbreaks.
To facilitate these goals, the Working has Group assisted, in varying degrees, with the development of numerous food safety issues in the past year. Below are just a few of the initiatives recently encouraged and embraced by the group:
- FDA’s new rules to combat Salmonella contamination in eggs.
- FDA request for comments on proposed guidance to reduce microbial contamination of tomatoes, melons and leafy greens.
- USDA's new initiatives aimed at testing bench trim for E. coli O157:H7 and the issuance of draft guidelines on methods for controlling E. coli O157:H7 on the farm.
- The enhancement of www.FoodSafety.gov and content for consumers.
- The opening of the Commercial Targeting and Analysis Center to better ensure the safety of imported foods.
- FDA’s activation of the Reportable Food Registry designed to more quickly identify and track adulterated food products.
- The decisions by FSIS, FDA, and CDC to host joint food safety meetings for input and collaboration on performance measures for food safety.
- The recent decisions by USDA and FDA to conduct additional public meetings regarding product tracing and tracing source materials for E. coli O157:H7 in beef.
These, of course, represent many significant food safety initiatives made possible by substantial governmental and industry collaboration. So, although the President announced during the creation of the Working Group that “[t]here are certain things [such as ensuring safe food] that only a government can do," we would simply note that his statements only paint a partial picture.
Let there be no mistake, Americans do enjoy one of the safest food supplies in the world in part because of continued governmental oversight. But, it is also important to note that American consumers enjoy one of the safest food supplies in the world in a much larger part because of the efforts of the hard-working Americans who actually feed our families. Thus, while government can regulate industry, only industry and its individual members can safety and successfully feed a nation.
So, is the Working Group still working? Of course. But, let us not forget that so are you. Thus, once again, we would like to say "thank you" to all those who work tirelessly, each and every day, to provide safe food for each of us and our families.
