We came across a disturbing report released in July 2007 by Public Citizen -- a non-profit consumer advocacy group founded in 1971 by Ralph Nader .
Public Citizen claims that of the $65 billion in foodstuffs that are imported to the U.S. each year, the "vast majority" are unexamined and untested.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reportedly inspects only .6 percent of the goods that it regulates, exposing Americans to dangerous levels of pesticide residues, unsafe color additives, and other food-borne perils.
With Americans now consuming seafood at unprecedented levels, 80% of what is available for purchase is imported, yet only about 1.93 percent of those imports is subject to FDA inspection. (Only 11 percent of our beef, pork and chicken imports undergo scrutiny by the United States Department of Agriculture .)
While advocating for increased vigilance by government officials, Public Citizen is also recommending that we, as citizens, take the following steps:
- buy local;
- read food labels to discern country of origin;
- regularly check recall lists and register for safety alerts at www.recalls.gov ; and
- contact Congressional representatives and request that that they fight for much needed change to trade and food-safety policies and labeling requirements.
There is no excuse for allowing this most fundamental aspect of our nation's security to be ignored.
Continued indifference could be our downfall.
To download a copy of Public Citizen 's report, please use this link: Trade Deficit in Food Safety