Legislation Update

How to regulate food safety in a way that prevents problems caused by industrialized agriculture but doesn’t wipe out small diversified farms is a difficult predicament.  As reoccurring recalls and contamination uncover the serious issues with the way our food is managed, it’s an urgent dilemma that must be addressed. 

The Food Safety Enhancement Act (H.R. 2749) passed on July 29, 2009 in the U.S. House of Representatives. The legislation addresses some of the gaping loopholes in the food safety program that were tragically exposed by a series of food borne illness outbreaks in recent years that sickened and even killed U.S. consumers.  Read more about this bill.

Recalls

Peanuts, pistachios... what's next? The evidence shows that the company responsible for the recent salmonella outbreak in peanuts KNEW about the contamination and STILL distributed its products. When questioned, the owner of the company offered no defense for his actions and simply pleaded the fifth amendment. Did you know that this is the second salmonella outbreak linked to peanuts in less than two years?  Act now to demand better food protection.

Country-of-Origin Label Requirements Making Progress

Soon, you will finally see country-of-origin labels (COOL) on some foods. But thanks to loopholes in the new plan, many products will still be allowed to go without labels.  You know where your clothes, electronics, and cars come from but what about your food? 

Take action: ask the USDA to fix the rules for COOL!

Video Reveals Big Problems at Meat Plant

The February 18, 2008 announcement that more than 140 million pounds of frozen ground beef was being recalled sparked lots of media coverage, not only because of the size of the recall (the largest in U.S. history) but because of the dramatic video footage that sparked the recall. Read more about this latest in a string of examples of our broken food safety system.

Your Demands for Healthier Milk Are Getting Results -- Keep Up the Pressure

Retailers across the nation are moving to artificial growth hormone-free milk. Chipotle, Kroger, Wal-Mart, and Yoplait have committed to supplying rBGH-free dairy products. But many schools in the country have not. With your help, we can ensure that kids get better milk. Learn more and take action now.

Food Safety

You have the right to eat food that is safe.  But the food industry often seeks to produce food in the cheapest and fastest way possible. Their methods can spread disease or expose consumers to questionable technologies and additives. 

Food & Water Watch believes that you don't want cloned or genetically modified meat that's been sprayed with viruses or irradiated to kill germs left from filthy slaughter and processing practices and then is pumped with carbon monoxide to preserve its fresh looking red color.  You don't want milk from cows that received the genetically modified artificial growth hormone rBGH and the antibiotics required to combat the udder infections the hormone encourages.

Instead, Food & Water Watch advocates for a safe and wholesome food supply with strong consumer safeguards at the slaughterhouse and processing plant. We hope you will join us.

Learn More