FDA’s New Food Safety Law – Agency Gives it a Positive Spin

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In a recent article from the FDA entitled The ‘Teeth’ of FDA’s Food Safety Law, the agency puts a very positive spin on the law itself and it’s implementation. Because this is a controversial issue (to say the least), I’m sure that some of you will feel that I’m being wishy washy (at best) by presenting the article without personal comment. But for those who don’t follow the Facebook page, my policy is now to present the news, and (to the best of my ability) refrain from giving editorial comment on it. I find this inspires better dialog, and lets people form and express their own opinions, which is something I want to encourage. I know that for many of you, this article will make your blood boil. But please direct your opinions toward the issue, not toward me personally. I simply thought people should know what the FDA is saying about the new law. So here goes:

EXCERPT: The Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA), signed into law by President Obama in January, has been called “historic” because it puts the focus of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on prevention—working to ensure that unsafe foods are not distributed in the first place. FDA Commissioner Margaret A. Hamburg says the law directs the agency to oversee food safety in a way that applies “the best available science and good common sense to prevent the problems that can make people sick.” What lends the new law additional importance is that it provides FDA with new enforcement and inspection authorities. “These new authorities are critical for the law’s success,” said Michael R. Taylor, FDA’s deputy commissioner for foods. “They give the food companies strong additional incentives for keeping their products safe, and that helps us achieve the new law’s goal, which is to protect consumers from unsafe food.”

The full article is available at: https://www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/ConsumerUpdates/ucm267460.htm Please feel free to share your opinions using the comment link above, or on the Facebook page.