Food safety primer

The Congressional Research Service on Feb. 7 published a document about the federal food safety system, and I published it here.
Here is the CRS report:

Opponents of major food safety changes, including many in the food and agricultural industries, assert that the system already is scientifically based, that the statutes are adequate, and that food companies already produce and distribute safe food, making the U.S. system a model for food safety around the world. Legislative proposals to combine these agencies and responsibilities into a single federal food safety agency have been introduced in past Congresses, but have not advanced. The 110th Congress may be asked to consider proposals that would either reorganize or consolidate the federal food safety organization. A range of policy options could be debated, including whether the current regulatory approaches and their authorizing statutes remain appropriate, particularly given the diversity of food types,different health risks, methods of production, and sources of supply; the continuously evolving science on foodborne illness and how to prevent future outbreaks; the impacts on industry competitiveness, particularly in a global economy; and funding constraints.


TK; Given the enormity and complexity of the task, I don't think Congress will reorganize food safety agencies this year. But the industry did ask for and it will get stronger federal oversight.