After the terrorist attacks of 11 September, the US General Accounting Office told Congress that it is more imperative than ever to consolidate food inspection agencies in order to counter the potential threat of bio-terrorism.
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Consumer advocacy groups and supermarket firms agreed that consolidation is imperative, and six months on, Homeland Security chief Tom Ridge says the Bush administration is seriously mulling the creation of a single federal agency responsible for bio-security.
Speaking to food industry officials at a conference yesterday [Thursday], Ridge said: “We have to see whether the system that has developed over the past two decades is the one we need in the future.
“One of the questions we need to answer is […] whether or not we need multiple agencies dealing with food safety responsibilities.”
Currently, the system of food administration is a reasonable confusing one, with responsibilities divided between the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the US Department of Agriculture (USDA). For example, the FDA, with its jurisdiction over all foods except meat, is responsible for cheese pizza safety. Pepperoni pizzas meanwhile fall under the control of the USDA.
On the other side, US food producers and some factions within the FDA and the USDA are opposed to the move, fearing a loss of control.
Any merger would have to be approved by Congress.
