Sarah Johnson was out getting groceries one day for her family of three. She stopped to pick up some eggs at her local supermarket. However, just 12 hours after eating the eggs everyone was starting to feel the early symptoms of Salmonella. This is just one example of the controversial topic that is Congress strengthening food safety regulations. Agencies and Federations have been monitoring food safety for decades now; even meat has been regulated as early as the Federal Meat Inspection Act of 1906. Food standards have improved greatly over the past century, with now 28 states running their own regulatory meat programs. ("Federal Food Safety" 99). Controversy on whether or not Congress should further strengthen food safety regulations has
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First, supporters argue that food safety regulations are out of date and Congress should refresh them with the food industry constantly changing. For example, a journalist for Time Magazine Bryan Walsh states, "Our food-safety system is 21st century, but our government's food-safety system is stuck in the 1900s" ("Should Congress Strengthen" 5). This suggests that supporters feel that many things tend to be overlooked or dismissed in the current system. In addition, advocates say protecting the public's health is the government's duty in society. Andrew Kimbell states, "It is a sad fact: since 9/11 [the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001], far more Americans have been killed, injured or hurt because of lack of a coordinated food system than by terrorist acts,"("Should Congress Strengthen" 5). This observation, supporters say, is a wake up call to Congress to set more regulations into action. Lastly, those in agreement argue that there are simple, efficient ways Congress can protect the public. Advik Shreekumar explains, "The Chicago Department of Public Health, for example, performs annual inspections of all restaurants, but it can also perform additional announced or unannounced investigations based on complaints it receives," (Food Safety). To emphasize, it is possible to …show more content…
Supporters of this issue argue that Congress must keep up with changing times, protect the public health, and efficiently protect people. Critics argue that it wastes time, hurts farmers, and confuses manufacturers with so many regulations. After Sarah Johnson's family recovered from the salmonella-tainted eggs, she decided to start buying only FDA-approved dairy products. Perhaps one day, the average American can go to a supermarket, buy any foods available, and feel content with what regulations the food has gone through to get on the
First, supporters argue that food safety regulations are out of date and Congress should refresh them with the food industry constantly changing. For example, a journalist for Time Magazine Bryan Walsh states, "Our food-safety system is 21st century, but our government's food-safety system is stuck in the 1900s" ("Should Congress Strengthen" 5). This suggests that supporters feel that many things tend to be overlooked or dismissed in the current system. In addition, advocates say protecting the public's health is the government's duty in society. Andrew Kimbell states, "It is a sad fact: since 9/11 [the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001], far more Americans have been killed, injured or hurt because of lack of a coordinated food system than by terrorist acts,"("Should Congress Strengthen" 5). This observation, supporters say, is a wake up call to Congress to set more regulations into action. Lastly, those in agreement argue that there are simple, efficient ways Congress can protect the public. Advik Shreekumar explains, "The Chicago Department of Public Health, for example, performs annual inspections of all restaurants, but it can also perform additional announced or unannounced investigations based on complaints it receives," (Food Safety). To emphasize, it is possible to …show more content…
Supporters of this issue argue that Congress must keep up with changing times, protect the public health, and efficiently protect people. Critics argue that it wastes time, hurts farmers, and confuses manufacturers with so many regulations. After Sarah Johnson's family recovered from the salmonella-tainted eggs, she decided to start buying only FDA-approved dairy products. Perhaps one day, the average American can go to a supermarket, buy any foods available, and feel content with what regulations the food has gone through to get on the