FDA Proposes New Food Safety Rules to Prevent Consumer Injury

Food safety is a growing issue among Americans.  In the past year, there have been multiple high profile food recalls for fresh greens, peanuts, and meat.  And according to the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) 1 in 6 Americans becomes sick from eating contaminated food every year.  The FDA estimates that of this total, 130,000 Americans are hospitalized with 3,000 of those individuals dying as a result of their food contamination.  In a society with advanced technologies and hygienic processes, why are we dying from contaminated food?

The FDA Seeks to Increase Food Safety 

Two years ago, Congress passed a controversial food safety bill, the Food Safety Modernization Act, signed into law on January 4, 2011.  After 2 years of debate within the FDA, they have finally come to an agreement on how the FDA will seek to increase consumers' safety and further regulate food production.  Approximately 80% of the food produced in America is regulated by the FDA, the rest being monitored by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA).

The law was introduced in reaction to a growing trend towards food imports.  With growing deaths and illness associated with food safety and splashy food recalls headlining the news, consumers are looking to the federal government to protect them and look after their safety. This new law, and the associated FDA guidelines are intended to take back control over the food industry, determining proactive safety measures rather than relying on failed legal reactionary measures of the past.

After 2 years of debating complex food issues spanning a wide variety of food sources and food systems, the FDA has agreed upon the following rule changes:

• written safety plans for food production
• analysis of contamination hazards
• food contamination prevention policies
• increased food safety monitoring
• food safety corrective actions 
• records that the FDA may use to audit the facility
• additional food safety verifications required of out of the country importers

Preventing Public Risk of Food Contamination Injury

The new guidelines are still under debate with calls for public inquiry and debate.  However, it is a positive step towards ensuring the public's safety.  Currently, the system is very reactionary. Often, legal remedies are pursued after a food contamination scare has been announced.  Product liability attorneys routinely represent individuals who were harmed by a product they ingested. These new rules encourage a more proactive prevention of food borne illnesses instead.  Perhaps less people will fall seriously ill and die as a result of these new rules. 

FDA Recalls Peanut Butter Products and Suspends Plant Operations

Food recalls are big news these days, especially when the recall involves a popular product.  A couple of months ago, people in 20 different states had fallen ill with salmonella that they thought was caused by consuming peanut butter.  After an investigation, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has suspended operations at the Sunland Inc. peanut butter factory in New Mexico. 

Using its recently expanded authority to suspend production and prohibit food distribution, the FDA has mandated recalls of Sunland Inc's allegedly infected batches of organic peanut butter.  The company had voluntarily instituted a recall of allegedly infected Trader Joe’s Valencia Creamy Salted Peanut Butter with SKU number 97111.  But the FDA determined further action was necessary after 41 people in 20 states had fallen ill with salmonella bredeney.

How Salmonella Could Sicken People

Salmonella bredeney is a bacteria that could sicken people when ingested.  This bacterial infection could develop within 12 to 72 hours and last potentially 4 to 7 days according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC.)

People who ingest food that is infected with the salmonella bredeney bacteria could experience the following symptoms of illness:

• diarrhea
• fever
• abdominal cramps
• dehydration
• death

If left untreated, symptoms could progress to potentially deadly consequences. People who fall ill with these symptoms are encouraged to seek immediate medical attention to prevent complications such as severe dehydration and death.

If You Were Sickened By Peanut Butter Containing Salmonella

If you developed salmonella poisoning after consuming peanut butter, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries.  Depending upon the severity of your illness and your medical treatment, you may want to discuss how a skilled product liability attorney might be able to help you recover your medical costs.  Call today to find out how you can obtain the help you need.