Food Safety Remains On GAO High-Risk List

Shows 15 Agencies are 14 Too Many; Time for a SingleFood Agency

WASHINGTON, DC– Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) issued thefollowing statement on a newreport released by the Government Accountability Office (GAO), whichcontinues to includefederal oversight of food safety as "high risk" to the economy and publichealth and safety.

"Given the sheer number of foodborne illnesses andoutbreaks, it is no surprise that federal oversight of food safety continues tobe included on the GAO's list of high risk areas. You need to look no furtherthan the current Salmonella outbreak that has sickened 18 people in fivestates to know that food safety deserves to be on this list and it is time forCongress to act. Since the GAO first added food safety to the list of high riskareas in 2007, they have highlighted the fragmented oversight of food safetyand recommended the establishment of a government-wide plan to address thiscritical problem. That plan remains elusive.

"The fragmented nature of our federal food safety system iswell established and underscores the need for a single food safety agency.Right now there is not one single person in charge and that puts us all at riskof getting sick from preventable illnesses. I will again introduce legislationto establish a single food safety agency, which would ensure that there is oneperson the public can hold accountable when outbreaks occur.

"Given the clear need to reorganize our food safety systemto protect the public health, this bill is absolutely necessary. It will ensurea coordinated strategy for preventing and responding to foodborne illnesses.And it will go a long way to addressing the shortcomings identified yet againby the GAO that place Americans' health at risk."

DeLauro will introduce her legislation to establish a singlefood safety agency shortly; more information will be available on it at thattime.