The Government Accounting Office issued a report last week adding food safety to its list of critically flawed federal programs, saying that splintered jurisdiction among 15 agencies has left the nation vulnerable to outbreaks of foodborne illness or a terrorist attack. The independent investigative arm of Congress said the "patchwork nature of the federal oversight of food safety calls into question whether the government can plan more strategically to inspect food production processes and identify and react more quickly to any outbreaks of contaminated food." GAO urged Congress and the Executive Branch "to build a sustained focus on the safety and integrity of the food supply." For more information, please contact Robert Guenther at (202) 303-3409.
United Fresh Produce Association
1901 Pennsylvania Ave. NW Suite 1100
Washington, DC 20006
Tel: 202 303 3400
Fax: 202 303 3433 united@unitedfresh.org
