Virginia Medical Malpractice Blog - Williamson & Lavecchia, L.C.

Food Safety - Overhaul

CQ HealthBeat (4/4, Attias) reported, "The laws governing the US food safety system need to be modernized to ensure Americans are protected from foodborne illness, witnesses and lawmakers said at a House Agriculture Committee hearing." At the hearing, Committee Chairman Rep. Collin C. Peterson (D-MN) said, "While it's true that our current food safety system and those entrusted to produce wholesome and safe products do a good job most of the time, it's clear that there are gaping holes at some points of the process. ... Modernization and reform are needed."

My thoughts: In the past year we have faced massive recalls of peanuts, pistachios, tomatoes and numerous other food products.  Too many Americans have died or become seriously ill from food poisoning.  The most common bacteria are e-coli and salmonella.

The starting point for improving food safety is better self-regulation.  The government can not be in every plant every day.  The manufacturers and retailers of food must become more vigilant in ensuring that the food they sell is safe and wholesome.  Secondly, the government must put more resources to improving food safety.  That means more unannounced inspections.  However, that will never be enough.  I believe we need to provide added whistle-blower protections for employees so they can report violations of our food safety laws without risking job loss. 

If you are a victim of food poisoning, you have legal rights.  You may be entitled to compensation for your medical bills, loss of income, and pain and suffering.  At Williamson & Lavecchia, L.C. we represent victims of food poisoning throughout Virginia including Richmond, Petersburg, Fredericksburg, Hampton Roads, Charlottesville and northern Virginia.

For a free consultation, please call us at (804) 288-1661 or click here to email us. 

Regards,


Joshua Silverman