Federal government cutting food safety budget during peanut butter recall

There are countless small food recalls each month. These recalls are headed by, but not required by, the Food and Drug Administration. Many recalls go unnoticed, but probably the most recent peanut butter recall – 2011’s Skippy recall – is calling focus on another issue with the federal budget. The increase in the number of recalls doesn’t seem to be supporting a rise in funding. Instead, lawmakers are considering reducing financing. Source for this article – Peanut butter recall 2011 highlights danger of cutting funding by MoneyBlogNewz.

Large recall on peanut butter this year

In a move anticipated to cost about $50 million or more, Skippy has recalled peanut butter in 16 states. Salmonella bacteria may be in the Skippy Reduced Fat Creamy Peanut Butter Spread and Skippy Reduced Fat Super Chunk Peanut Butter spread. The 16.3-ounce plastic jars with UPC numbers 048001006812 and 048001006782 are involved in the recall. Unilever as the Skippy manufacturing company is working with the FDA to get this product recalled.

Cash to pay for food safety

Something was added to the new FDA bill. In order to get a recall before, the FDA had to work with the company. Now the FDA can issue the recall itself. The FDA’s spending budget also integrated financing to hire new inspectors and generally keep a closer eye on food safety. It is possible for the funding for these changes to disappear. It is being looked at. The safety and quality of meat might go down. This is because there are reductions being done to the USDA. The FDA is getting cut additionally by Congress which makes it hard to enforce the new food safety laws. Each year, over 3,000 individuals die from tainted food. This lack of funding is something that is a significant issue.

Most essential food safety issue to figure out

Funding the food safety system in the United States is a difficult regulatory challenge. The United States needs the FDA. It is responsible for making sure the food and drugs are acceptable. Food safety is also, alternately, handled by the United States Department of Agriculture or 14 other federal agencies. State and local governments take on another level of oversight. There are several challenges with the heavier regulation though even though it might help food safety. A significant percentage of sales are lost by small farms, farmer's markets and local food because of these regulations. All of the food safety recalls means millions lost from the safety budget and economy. The political, social and economic changes might result in being too hard for everybody to face.

Articles cited

Slate

slate.com/id/2160235/

MSNBC

msnbc.msn.com/id/41943365/ns/health-food_safety/

Food Safety News

foodsafetynews.com/2011/03/new-york-times-food-safety-cuts-make-no-sense-at-all/

Government Accountability Office

gao.gov/new.items/d07449t.pdf