WASHINGTON, DC: Food safety is under the spotlight, with growing concerns about the oversight of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the United States.
In a recent segment on food safety, comedian and political commentator John Oliver shed light on the shortcomings of the current system and the urgent need for change.
Serious consequences of foodborne illnesses
Oliver began his segment with a humorous touch, highlighting the universal appeal of food, "Whether you’re a vegan, a carnivore, or somewhere in between, all of it is either ripped from its home or dies screaming. Food is fun!"
Oliver immediately emphasized the significance of diarrhea, stating, "Except it isn’t, because diarrhea causes the most trouble. There’s just no doubt about that. If you had to choose between those three symptoms, diarrhea is dead last, every single time."
He also brought attention to the alarming number of recalls due to contamination, quipping, "Honestly, I’d always assumed that all Taco Bell jarred products could give you botulism. You want the spice, you roll the dice."
Addressing the gravity of foodborne illnesses, Oliver stated, "Every year, an estimated 46 million Americans are sickened by foodborne illness, and of them, 128,000 are hospitalized, and about 3,000 die."
The problems within the FDA became apparent as Oliver highlighted a history of issues, including unacceptable delays in recalls, as he pointed out, "In 30 recalls, it took an average of 57 days from when the FDA was notified."
The concerns regarding the FDA's oversight were brought to the fore when Oliver discussed a recent incident involving infant formula, where it took the FDA four months from their first sign something was wrong to conduct a follow-up inspection. Tragically, at least four babies had been hospitalized, and two died.
Complexity in food oversight
The fractured structure of food oversight became evident when Oliver delved into the division of responsibilities between the FDA and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), emphasizing the absurdity of the distinctions between different food products.
Oliver quipped, "And look, when you see stories like those, you’d assume that the government is constantly on the lookout for potentially dangerous food. But it’s become increasingly clear that our food safety system — in particular, the Food and Drug Administration, which oversees most of it — has some serious shortcomings."
One of the most alarming revelations came from an expert, who stated, "When you eat a hamburger, the most dangerous part of that is not the burger. It’s going to be the onion, lettuce, and the tomatoes."
Despite legislative efforts like the Food Safety Modernization Act, the FDA's problems persist, including inadequate funding and bureaucratic inefficiencies. It has taken over a decade for the FDA to establish standards for water used in agriculture.
Experts suggest a more substantial overhaul may be required, including the creation of a dedicated agency solely focused on food safety. While such a change would face opposition, it might be the necessary step to address the fractured system and ensure a safer food supply.
Social media reactions
Many on social media agreed with the concerns raised by Oliver, emphasizing that the FDA's issues must be addressed promptly, as the current system leaves the door open for future outbreaks.
"I love that you never know what horror to expect with John Oliver. I saw the thumbnail and expected to be hearing about safety issues with minors in meat packing plants, and have come away terrified of vegetables. Well played," one commented.
"We definitely need something New & better than The FDA & USDA to make sure Food Safety has higher standards. Specially an Organization that's well-funded & can't be Deregulated," another wrote.
"Been in the agriculture and the restaurant business. The amount of contaminated food due to regulations not being followed is at least 10-20%. Unless those liable face serious jail time your food will just get nastier," someone else offered.
"The FDA and USDA much like the IRS, congress, and the justice system are in need of a much-needed, long overdue overhaul," another chimed in.
