Playing Politics With Food Safety

Regulation Policy

Playing Politics With Food Safety

Although the U.S. food supply is among the safest in the world, some politicians call for more federal regulations and sweeping new inspection and enforcement powers every time there is an outbreak of food-borne illnesses. Experts say the rarity of such outbreaks is evidence enough that existing rules are working to minimize the dangers involved.

In recent years, epidemiologists have linked a few outbreaks of food-related illnesses to some imported produce.

Just over 1,000 people became ill last year after eating raspberries from Guatemala -- following a similar incident in 1996 which affected fewer than 1,500 persons.

Mexican strawberries were implicated in an outbreak of hepatitis A last year which affected 270 people.

In 1995, 242 persons in 17 states and Finland became ill from salmonella traced to alfalfa sprouts imported from the Netherlands.

Green onions from Mexico were suspected when 171 persons in Illinois became ill in 1994.

Clinton administration officials are demanding new authority to regulate imported foods. But Rep. Henry Bonilla (R-Texas) says he thinks "it's phenomenal how safe our food supply is."

**Allan Freedman (Congressional Quarterly), "Congressional Leaders Cautious on Tightening Food Regulations," Washington Times, June 8, 1998.

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