Bipartisan Senate produces safer foods

Shane Wade

Columnist

Amid the myriad of controversies that occurred last week was the Senate passage of a historic piece of legislation that significantly alters the America food industry: The FDA Food Safety Modernization Act. The  bipartisan piece of legislation gives the FDA the power and authority to increase federal inspections of food processing plants and directly order recalls, among other powers. While some far-right conservatives decry this “intrusion” into the lives of American citizens, I applaud the actions of the Senate.
Over the past decade, food safety in America has gone to pot: 2006 had us fearing the E. coli bacteria in spinach, in 2008, the USDA conducted the largest beef recall in U.S history, 2009 had salmonella scares in the milk and peanut products, and 2010 saw the reemergence of E. coli in romaine lettuce, salmonella in hydrolyzed vegetable protein and eggs, and the banning of the popular alcohol/caffeine drink Four Loko. Before any of the recalls occurred, hundreds of people were already hospitalized and even killed. According to a report published by the Produce Safety Project in March 2010, food-borne illnesses cost the United States an estimated $152 billion ever year in healthcare, workplace and other economic losses.
This legislation, which focuses more on preventative measures rather than reactionary measures, has been a priority for some for a long time. The previous system of voluntary recalls by food companies has negatively affected our wellness, in terms of both health and economics. Self-regulated industries and lassie-faire capitalism have left us quite literally ill.
The passage of this legislation also has a symbolic meaning. The food safety reform bill was one of the few bills passed with bipartisan support. Although the Congress is in a lame-duck session, this bill gives us hope that both parties can work together and find real, effective solutions to national problems.
One of the core principals and duties of the government is to protect the well-being of its citizens; for far too long the controlling parties have ignored this imperative in favor of divisive politics that highlight the objectives of those on the far right or far left. Two heads think better than one, and this act shows that American government is in need of greater compromise in order to work more efficiently. Perhaps Democrats and Republicans can indeed work together for the well being of the American people and accomplish the duties of government.
While it largely remains the duty of government to ensure our foods are safe to eat, individual consumers must not rely solely on government agencies to protect our health. Consumers have the ultimate power and responsibility in changing the practices and behaviors of industries, including the food industry. We can choose not to buy certain foods or support certain companies.

Even if the legislation does create a slight increase in food prices, there’s no price on peace of mind. The savings in fewer trips to the hospital will outweigh the costs. This legislation isn’t perfect and arguably does harm small farmers, but at the end of the day large corporations are slaves to profit and the actions of consumers in boycotting products will force companies to produce healthier foods.