Iowa State University recently published the findings of their survey, in which they asked 1710 food safety scientists and inspectors at the Food and Drug Administration and the US Department of Agriculture. The findings shift the blame from failing government policies to the food industry itself.
FairWarning.Org has the story:
- Thirty-eight percent agreed that “public health has been harmed by agency practices that defer to business interests."
- 31 percent felt that the presence of former food industry officials in high-ranking agency jobs “inappropriately influences decisions.”
- Forty-five percent said that they had experienced undue interference by a member of Congress.
The USDA responded to charges that management was allowing workers to be influenced or, in some cases, outright threatened, by saying, "Food safety is the sole function of our Food Safety Inspection Service and no other considerations should detract from carrying out their mission.”
Further Reading:Read the full survey
here.
Technorati on the developing story
Food Quality News has a brief article on the issue
