Though the United States enjoys one of the world’s safest food supplies, recent events have spotlighted weaknesses in the current system that can and must be improved.

The time has never been better for Congress to pass and implement a new plan to improve and modernize our nation's food safety system, prevent problems before they arise and strengthen the oversight of the agencies that regulate our food supply.

The right ingredients for food safety are prevention, partnership and resources. Working together, the food industry, Congress and federal agencies can ensure that American consumers enjoy the safest food supply possible.

Americans have a right to safe food.

The Case for More FDA Funding

There is a growing chorus of support for increased FDA funding. The FDA’s own Science Board, through its Subcommittee on Science and Technology, recently found that primarily due to a lack of appropriate resources, the “scientific demands on the FDA far exceed its capacity to respond.”

Federal Legislation

Unlike any other time in recent History, food safety is top of mind for many members of Congress on both sides fo the aisle. There are a number of food safety bills floating on Capitol Hill. The time has never been better for Congress to enact good legislation that will strengthen, mondernize and improve the nation's foods safety system.

Take Action

Congress is considering whether to provide the FDA with the resources it needs to ensure the safety of our food supply. After years of chronic underfunding, the FDA is struggling to keep pace with emerging new challenges and the cutting edge science needed to address them.

Now is the time to let your Representatives in Washington know that you support The Costa-Putnam Safe FEAST Act of 2009 in the U.s. House of Representatives and the Durbin-Gregg FDA Food Modernization Act in the U.s. Senate. These two bills constitute sensible legislation that will strengthen the foundation of America’s food safety systems.

Let Capitol Hill know that you believe:

Every food manufacturer should be required to adopt, regularly update and make available for F.D.A. confirmation a food safety plan.

Food importers should be required to document the steps they are taking to police their foreign suppliers.

The F.D. A. should be allowed to set and enforce safety standards for fruits and vegetables.

The F.D.A should be granted mandatory recall authority.

Congress should increase FDA food-related spending to at least $900 million by FY 2012 to rebuild FDA’s scientific capacity.