FDA and Fresh Spinach Safety
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Serial Number
Levin Center Identifier
Document Date
2008-05-12
Report Length
12 pages
Policy Agendas Project Major Code
Policy Agendas Project Minor Code
Additional, Minority, Dissenting Views
Report Type
Found Using Methodology
Yes
Committee(s)
Subcommittee(s)
Commission(s)
Idependent Author(s)
Brief Executive Summary
The House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform investigated the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) efforts to ensure the safety of packaged fresh spinach, especially in the context of the E. coli O157:H7 outbreak in September of 2007. The investigation reveals concerns about the FDA's ability to safeguard fresh produce, citing infrequent inspections of high-risk facilities, insufficient enforcement action, and neglect of probable sources of outbreaks. The report suggests that inadequate funding and resources for food safety activities at the FDA contribute to these issues, echoing the conclusions of an independent FDA advisory committee.