Group Seeks Tougher U.S. Food Regulation
Posted on: Thursday, 24 April 2003, 06:00 CDT
By EMILY GERSEMA
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Lawsuits against the government are casting doubt on its authority to enforce food safety laws, a scientific panel says.
The Institute of Medicine said in a report Thursday that Congress should help federal regulators - the Agriculture Department and the Food and Drug Administration - by strengthening their authority over food processors.
"Congress should give regulatory agencies the clear authority to establish, and enforce compliance with, science-based food safety criteria, including performance standards," the panel said.
Some meatpackers have challenged the Agriculture Department for closing plants when inspectors find harmful bacteria or repeated sanitation violations.
For example, meatpacker Nebraska Beef Ltd. sued the department in January for trying to shut down its Omaha, Neb., plant for unsanitary conditions. A judged sided with the company and issued a temporary restraining order against the department. A few days later, the government made a deal with the packer, allowing it to stay open.
Consumer groups have been critical of cases like this, arguing that they are poking holes in food safety laws. They've also complained that the government is too soft on processors when it comes to imposing penalties because it fears lawsuits.
In other recommendations, the institute said Congress should:
-- Give regulators more flexibility to come up with requirements that would allow food plants to use new technologies for preventing bacteria from poisoning food.
-- Require a national plan for coordinating how the government tracks foodborne diseases in food production, processing and distribution.
The scientific panel, an arm of the National Academy of Sciences, suggested that the government do more studies on harmful food bacteria, such as E. coli and salmonella, to be used as a basis for improving food safety laws.
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