Failing Grade for the Food and Drug Administration - and Our Security

Earlier this year, there was the danger of contaminated pet food. Pets were dying. The anecdotal reports were that hundreds of pets were sick and not surviving. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) did not give a definitive number. And the FDA continued to lag behind in providing timely valid information.

Now there is a report and assessment of the FDA:

“The report is scathing. An expert panel has told the Food and Drug Administration that the organization is so understaffed and underfunded, it puts American lives at risk. The report is scathing. An expert panel has told the Food and Drug Administration that the organization is so understaffed and underfunded, it puts American lives at risk.”

link: FDA Is Broken, Endangers American Lives

This is basic. It is what you and I buy, put in our kitchens and serve as food. This impacts on you and every member of your family - and your neighbours. It cuts across age, political persuasion, religious affiliation, geo-political boundaries - everything.

The government focus is on security and protecting such things as borders, immigration, flight passenger lists and a litany of other concerns. Dangers are daily news items, on every media service. It would seem prudent that equal care be paid to the fundamentals. It may be as simple as re-assuring that what you and your neighbor are serving for breakfast, lunch and supper is safe. We served contaminated food to our pets. They became sick. Some died. Let’s take that disaster and this report as harbingers.

Catherine Forsythe