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Obama's FDA Cracks Down on Food Industry

Sweeping pistachio recall rejects slow pace of peanut crisis

By Matt Cantor,  Newser Staff

Posted Apr 7, 2009 8:17 AM CDT

(Newser) – Under President Obama, the Food and Drug Administration is taking on a tougher, more preventative role, the New York Times reports, leading, for example, to product recalls before anyone’s been sickened. The change is evident in the agency’s handling of the pistachio scare: It warned against eating them without reports of sickness, then pushed for a recall of all pistachios harvested in 2008 by California’s Setton company.

Hundreds of products, from candy bars to trail mix, are set to disappear from shelves in a recall announced yesterday. The agency’s acting head aims not to repeat the slow pace of the peanut recall. “The food industry needs to be on notice that FDA is going to be much more proactive and move things far faster,” said an official.

Setton Pistachio, the California company at the center of a nationwide pistachio recall, says it believes the salmonella contamination is likely not from a human or animal source inside its plant.
Setton Pistachio, the California company at the center of a nationwide pistachio recall, says it believes the salmonella contamination is likely not from a human or animal source inside its plant.   (AP Photo)
The FDA is getting tough on the food industry, as shown in its firm stance on pistachios.
The FDA is getting tough on the food industry, as shown in its firm stance on pistachios.   (Shutterstock)
President Barack Obama addresses the Turkish parliament in Ankara yesterday.
President Barack Obama addresses the Turkish parliament in Ankara yesterday.   (AP Photo)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 3 comments
scottaco
Apr 8, 2009 12:17 PM CDT
Good to have the FDA keeping an eye on our nuts.
sache
Apr 7, 2009 6:13 AM CDT
Finally someone cares.
Nwambe
Apr 7, 2009 3:09 AM CDT
This is truly a sign of wonderful, positive change.
 

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