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FDA Knew About Food Dangers

Overwhelmed food-safety arm didn't follow up on peanut butter, spinach

By Sam Gale Rosen, Newser Staff

Posted Apr 23, 2007 8:24 AM CDT

(Newser) – The FDA knew for years about problems at the peanut butter plant and spinach farms that led to major disease outbreaks, but took minimal steps to redress them. The agency's food safety arm can't keep up with the explosion in the amount of food it is supposed to regulate, the Post reports, and expects processors to police themselves.

Robert Brackett, head of the FDA's food safety arm, says the agency is stuck in the 1950s; safety should be built into manufacturers' systems, "rather than us chasing after them." Critics say the agency has been undermined by the administration's distrust of regulation. Congressional hearings begin tomorrow on the unprecedented number of food recalls lately.

This is a Friday, Feb. 16, 2007 file picture of returned jars of Peter Pan Peanut Butter at a super market in Atlanta. When Peter Pan peanut butter returns to stores in July 2007, some consumers first... (Associated Press)

Salmonella Outbreak Linked To Tainted Peanut Butter (Getty Images)

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FDA Knew About Food Dangers

Overwhelmed food-safety arm didn't follow up on peanut butter, spinach

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Soft, thin skin more susceptible to chemicals

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Overwhelmed food-safety arm didn't follow up on peanut butter, spinach

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OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

food • FDA • health • food safety • spinach • Robert Brackett • safety

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

Salmonella Prompts Recall of Veggie Booty

Company yanks 'healthy' snack after dozens, including kids, fall ill

Melamine Death Toll Passes 8,000 Pets

FDA says health risk for humans unlikely

Pesticide Patrol: The Dozen Worst Fruits and Veggies

Soft, thin skin more susceptible to chemicals

Peanut Butter Recalled in Salmonella Scare

Common hospital, school brand may have sickened 400 Americans

Producer Recalls 68K Pounds of Calif. Spinach

Metz Fresh finds salmonella in sample during routine testing

About Us

Site

Newser By Users

Community

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