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What do you think of the quote on the screen by Senator Tom Harkin? Unfortunately, the FDA is underfunded and understaffed. Since 2004, it has lost more than 800 scientists and inspectors. The FDA uses only three percent of its food-safety funds per year to inspect fresh produce like tomatoes and lettuce. And that is a problem, because Americans have begun eating more fresh produce in the past two decades. The FDA also inspects less than one percent of the produce that is imported from other countries. Do you think this latest scare will change the situation? President Obama has called
for a "complete review of FDA operations," noting that
"at a bare minimum, we should be able to count on our government
keeping our kids safe when they eat peanut butter." Another
senator said he would like to see more serious punishments like
jail time for business people who violate food safety rules.
Do you think this would help? Some officials have called
for the creation of a new federal agency devoted only to food.
Do you think that's a good idea? What else do you think should
be done to keep food safe? END OF STORY.
NOW
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