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WARNING: Only 2 Percent Of Imported Fruits, Vegetables Inspected
courtesy of fda.gov
If you’re eating a store-bought fruit or vegetable while reading this article, there’s a good chance it was imported. And if it was imported, it likely wasn’t inspected.
The Food and Drug Administration acknowledged as much July 26 when it proposed new rules that are intended to make America’s food supply safer in light of a series of foodborne outbreaks that at times have resulted in death.
Fifty percent of fresh fruit and 20 percent of fresh vegetables are imported, but only two percent are inspected.
Under the proposed rules, imported fruits and vegetables will be subject to the same standards as are domestically produced food. Specifically, third-party auditors in the foreign country would inspect the facility and issue a report to the FDA. The proposed rule, though, isn’t in effect yet, and may not be for some time. The public has until Nov. 26 to comment on the proposal, after which the FDA can make changes.
“We will continue to check food at our borders,” said Michael R. Taylor, J.D., deputy commissioner for foods and veterinary medicine.” However, rather than relying almost entirely on FDA’s investigators at the ports to detect and respond to food safety problems, importers would —
Source: http://www.offthegridnews.com/2013/08/01/warning-only-2-percent-of-imported-fruits-vegetables-inspected/
