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Obama’s Move to Improve Food Safety in 2010

In its bid to improve US food safety The Obama Administration has filled a key role within the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Michael R Taylor is the new Deputy Commissioner for Foods. This position came out of the new Office for Foods that started in August 2009.

This position’s goal is to bulk up US prevention of food borne illness and implement other proactive food safety measures. Taylor will implement plans to make sure food labels are clear and accurate about their nutritional content as part of this strategy. Up until now the food industry’s focus has mostly been on reacting to problems, outbreaks and wide spread sickness.

There is a food safety bill in the works for 2010 and Taylor will be charged with preparing the FDA for this bill to pass. This bill with include mandatory safety plans for processors and manufacturers which will be measured by a drastic increase in plant inspections. The FDA will also have a greater authority to recall food if this bill passes as well as enforcing ways to trace fruits and vegetables.

Since 2006, the pressure has been growing to overhaul the food safety system that is currently in place in the US. After the heavy media coverage of the spinach, lettuce, peppers and peanut outbreaks, it became obvious that the US needed a food hygiene overhaul.

As the Deputy Commissioner for Foods, Taylor brings a wealth of experience in from high level positions in the FDA and the USDA. He’s also well known for his work in academia as a professor and he’s been on many National Academy of Science committees.

Obama is also facing pressure to fill a key position at the Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service. This pressure is coming from politicians and consumer advocates and is because this position has been unfilled for over a year.

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