Great news. In President Obama’s most recent radio address, food safety was front and center.
Although his plate is already full (pun intended), he recognizes the mess we’re in and the associated urgency. The President explained that government can’t solve all our problems, and our nation was built on the strength of individual initiative. But, according to the President, there are certain things, like ensuring the safety of the food we eat and the medicines we take, that only government can do.
Not so fast… I’m not sure that the government alone can accomplish this, especially given their pathetic track record. The court system and industry’s self-regulation also have important roles to play.
In any event, President Obama went on to note that this is the mission of the FDA, and it’s shared by our Department of Agriculture along with variety of other agencies, at a variety of governmental levels. I’m hoping there will be better coordination among the various agencies.
He closed his remarks by underscoring that food safety is something he takes seriously; not just as a President, but as a father.
Obama said when he heard about the peanut butter contamination, his immediate thoughts were of his seven year old daughter who has peanut butter sandwiches for lunch three times a week.
No parent, according to the President, should have to worry about whether their child is going to get sick from their lunch. He concluded by announcing that protecting the safety of our food and drugs is one of the most fundamental responsibilities government has, and that it is a responsibility he intends to uphold.
He certainly is saying some of the right things, but will the funding be there? What about the the political support needed to make this happen?
Richard J. Arsenault, 2011
[...] He has addressed the nation with promises of continued attention to improving our broken food safety system (for video, see Obama: Food Safety is Fundamental Gov’t Responsibility). [...]