Should Congress Strengthen Food Safety Regulations?
Whether or not Congress should strengthen food safety regulations is a controversial topic amongst U.S. citizens. National food-borne illness outbreaks have been a problem since the early 20th century. The Jungle, a novel by Upton Sinclair about the unsanitary working conditions of Chicago's meat-packing industry, was published in 1906 and unveiled the issues to the public eye ("Food Safety: Should Congress" 2). This example suggests that this was the spark of taking steps towards food safety in the United States. As a result of the widespread knowledge of unsanitary food productions and transportation, the U.S. government decided to intervene and create agencies to regulate product safety. One of the most well known agencies is the FDA (Food
and Drug Administration), who overlooks the medicine and agricultural products in the United States (Quezzaire et. al 1). Government groups, such as the FDA, use regulations to work to prevent national outbreaks of food-borne illnesses. In response to nationwide outbreaks, the government passed acts and laws to improve consumer safety. Until the 1950s and 60s, consumers were often mislead by advertising and withheld few rights; which led to the creation of the Consumer Bill of Rights passed by President John F. Kennedy (Rados 9). The government's involvement in food safety regulations helped improve consumer and product safety over the 20th century. Overall, past outbreaks, government agencies, and the development of acts and laws have improved the health status of the U.S., but as systems of production and transportation evolve new ways for outbreaks to happen evolve as well.
and Drug Administration), who overlooks the medicine and agricultural products in the United States (Quezzaire et. al 1). Government groups, such as the FDA, use regulations to work to prevent national outbreaks of food-borne illnesses. In response to nationwide outbreaks, the government passed acts and laws to improve consumer safety. Until the 1950s and 60s, consumers were often mislead by advertising and withheld few rights; which led to the creation of the Consumer Bill of Rights passed by President John F. Kennedy (Rados 9). The government's involvement in food safety regulations helped improve consumer and product safety over the 20th century. Overall, past outbreaks, government agencies, and the development of acts and laws have improved the health status of the U.S., but as systems of production and transportation evolve new ways for outbreaks to happen evolve as well.